COMMERCIAL refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation services company ColdService has added the Vauxhall Vivaro to its 60-strong fleet.

'By now many of you will have received your 2001/2002 tax returns. I would imagine that like most normal people, your desire to complete it comes slightly behind de-worming the cat.' By David Rawlings, Senior manager, Automotive Sector Group, Deloitte & Touche.

THOUSANDS of drivers in cash-for-car schemes are being short-changed when claiming back the cost of running their vehicles on business, according to a new survey.

FRANK Olsen, chairman of the Hertz Corporation, has been invited to join the British Travel Industry's Hall of Fame. This marks a lifetime achievement within the car rental market that Olsen joined in 1964.

DAIHATSU is claiming its new '333' offer, working in tandem with fleet management company Overdrive, will substantially cut the cost and reduce the risk of running commercial vehicles.

SLEEPY drivers could be responsible for 300 deaths on Britain's roads every year, fleets are being warned in a £750,000 safety campaign.

FORD has clinched a £289 million deal for the Transit with BT - the biggest single fleet deal in Ford's history.

AFTER a fizzing start to 2002, sales of vans up to 3.5-tonnes fell by 5.5% in March.

JULIAN Robus has been appointed as business development manager for The Van Liners, the van conversion and body building firm.

EASTBOURNE dealer Eurovans has been presented with the Van Centre of the Year award by Volkswagen.

A YEAR after launching its 'Quality Secured' scheme, the National Trailer and Towing Association has revealed that 25 of its members have qualified for full accreditation.

THE Citroen Berlingo has won the Fleet News light van of the Year award 2002 for the sixth consecutive time. Runners-up were the Renault Kangoo and Peugeot Partner.

VAUXHALL'S Combo is now available with a Dualfuel option.

THE Daihatsu Hijet range has been enhanced with the addition of a dual-fuel version.

VOLKSWAGEN is giving more power to the LT's elbow with the launch of a blistering new 158bhp version, the most powerful van engine on the market today.

ISUZU is importing a new range of one-tonne pick-ups to sell alongside its Trooper off-roaders.

SUZUKI is offering a bargain basement pick-up with the launch of the new Dropside Carry at £6,895 ex-VAT.

IVECO has ruffled a few feathers in the panel van sector by muscling in on the 2.9-3.5 tonne scene with the mighty Daily. Trevor Gelken reports.

SOME pick-ups are utilitarian affairs often seen bruised and battered on Britain's highways loaded down with bricks and rubble like old worn-out donkeys.

NOW that LPG conversions are freely available for diesel-engined vans, there is simply no excuse for ignoring alternative fuels. John Charles reports.

WRAPPING is not the only area where advances are being made in vehicle graphics - new studies by the Office for Motor Vehicle Technology show that reflective materials applied to your van could cut your accident rate by up to 43%.

FORGET traditional signwriting - today's technology means a wealth of opportunities are open to fleet operators when it comes to filling those acres of white space on the side of their vans. Simon Wells reports.

THE way you choose to livery your vehicles can have a significant impact on vehicle residuals, warns David Hill, senior editor of CAP Red Book.

The CV Show, at the Birmingham NEC from April 30 - May 2, is a definite must for all van operators. Although some of the stands are exclusively for HGVs, many feature items of interest for LCV fleets.

ALTERNATIVE fuel vehicles are now appearing around the used marketplace and with the congestion charging proposals for London it is clearly a possible turning point for this sector, says Dave Hill, senior editor of CAP Red Book.

A new 12-acre state-of-the-art fleet auction facility has opened in the Midlands. The Fleet Auction Group opened its doors for trading with an auction for trucks on April 23.

THE need for accurate commercial vehicle descriptions at auction has been highlighted by Manheim Auctions.

VAN manufacturer LDV is making a bid for a Ministry of Defence order worth up to £1.5billion as part of a four-company consortium.

Showroom4cars.com is expanding its website service to offer commercial vehicles - and the company claims fleets can save up to 40% by shopping on the net.

THE majority of Britain's van drivers are highly professional and bear no resemblance to so-called 'white van man', according to a new survey. But the minority of bad drivers are ruining the image for the others.