WITH many van drivers suffering from back problems after long hours behind the wheel, a New Zealand specialist has come up with a new seat back support that is claimed to lessen such problems.

CONTRACT hire company Arma has launched an all-inclusive package for van fleets.

THE Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro light panel van has been named International Van of the Year 2002 by a panel of judges.

LONDON mayor Ken Livingstone has been urged to scrap London congestion charging for vans over 3.5 tonnes, as long as they conform to Euro lll emissions standards.

NEARLY one-quarter of van drivers stopped in routine speed checks said they were running late, 41% claimed they didn't realise they were breaking the limit, while 13% said they didn't even know what the limit was.

NISSAN has pumped up the power output and torque on the Cabstar E for 2002 - and is offering free servicing for three years on models sold before the end of March.

VAUXHALL is launching a wheelchair accessible minibus version of the Vivaro.

VOLKSWAGEN Commercial Vehicles has boosted the warranty arrangements for its van range.

A NEW online fleet management service for vans has been launched offering real-time updates on driver performance to cut vehicle running costs.

VAN drivers are leaving the door open to smash and grab thieves by keeping valuable tools and equipment in clear view, according to Autoglass.

TACHOGRAPGH and driver hours offences are rife in England, mainly due to lack of knowledge by those concerned. Some 6,650 convictions were made in 1999/2000.

VAN drivers who need a desk can turn their cabs into offices with a new product, the Polaris CarDesk workstation.

ARVAL PHH has joined forces with BP to launch a diesel fuel card for LCVs which it claims could slash tens of thousands of pounds from company bills.

FORD stole the limelight at the Amsterdam Commercial Vehicle Show by unveiling the eagerly-awaited Transit Connect light van.

ON display at the Amsterdam CV Show was the muscle-bound Transit Jumbo, boasting a 4.25-tonne gross vehicle weight, dual rear wheels, a load volume of 14.25 cubic metres and a payload of 2,198kg.

NISSAN is about to launch a new attack on Britain's LCV market by using its partnership with Renault.

CITROEN unveiled the new Relay panel van to the world at the Amsterdam Show. The new model - sharing its technology with the Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato - is more evolution than revolution and sticks to the classic panel van shape rather than trying to emulate the futuristic lines of the new Renault Trafic and Vauxhall Vivaro.

BOTH Peugeot and Fiat had world premieres on their show stands with the Boxer and Ducato respectively. They share technology with the new Citroen Relay.

GOVERNMENT figures reveal that about four million employees drive a van occasionally and 240,000 drive for the majority of their time at work.

FOR fleets looking to adopt LPG vans, a key decision is whether to opt for a manufacturer's own conversion or choose an aftermarket supplier.

ONE of the problems facing fleets that want to switch to alternative fuel vehicles is the huge question mark that hangs over residual values.

ONE of the main attractions of switching to alternative fuels for fleets is that the Government will foot a large part of the bill through its PowerShift initiative.

DESPITE suffering falling sales in a rising market last year, Britain's only independent van maker is looking forward to a brighter future, with new models and fresh ideas on the way. Simon Harris meets LDV sales director Tony Lewis to discuss the firm's prospects.

THE Vauxhall Vivaro/Renault Trafic has set the light panel van sector alight since its launch last September. Trevor Gelken puts the new van up against the market-leading Ford Transit SWB.

ATTENDING auctions personally can pay dividends for LCV operators, according to DAVID HILL, senior editor of CAP Red Book.

USED car values formed the heart of a major debate on the fleet industry organised by vehicle funding and management specialist VELO, amid fears that increasing demand for diesel vehicles could damage their residual values.

THE first Ford Direct supersite in the UK has officially opened in a joint venture between the manufacturer and Peoples Group.

DAEWOO Cars is putting its new sales recruits through a series of training courses run by Manheim Auctions to educate them on the skills of vehicle appraisal and estimating residual values.

VOLKSWAGEN has launched an Assured Used Vehicle Programme for its vans to highlight quality used stock and boost residual values.

'I would like to thank the person who has been in touch regarding the issue of putting petrol in diesel cars, a bigger problem than I originally thought.' Martin Ward, CAP Network national research manager.