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.

VAN fleets are under renewed pressure to invest in higher specification vehicles or face major losses at disposal time.

MANHEIM Europe has put the finishing touches to a major rebranding three years after the name was launched in the UK.

THE last Chrysler Prowler to roll of the assembly line has been auctioned for charity.

TRADITIONAL peaks and troughs in the value of used convertibles could be a thing of the past, according to Glass's Information Services.

BRITISH Car Auctions is to stage a special golden jubilee classic and historic sale the its Blackbushe auction centre.

PRIME Minister Tony Blair has issued a direct challenge to UK businesses and fleets to lead the world in investment in clean fuel vehicles.

TOUGH new proposals designed to reduce fleet accidents are to be presented to Government ministers after clearing a key official hurdle.

THE most popular alternative fuel used by fleets could be made obsolete by developments in petrol and diesel technology, wiping out its status as a clean fuel, suppliers have been warned.

FLEET operators who fail to manage simple maintenance procedures to monitor tyre and brake wear on company cars could end up in court, according to industry experts.

MG Rover is stepping up its presence on high-profile fleets with a deal for two ZT-T rapid response vehicles for West Midlands and Shropshire Ambulance Service.

SMALL fleets with BMWs on their choice lists are being targeted by a new all makes insurance scheme from the manufacturer.

Carlisle-based Custom Fleet has won the seventh and final regional heat of the Kwik-Fit 2002 National Karting Challenge held in association with Fleet News, completing the line-up for the grand final on June 9.

BMW has revealed the first details of the new diesel MINI which will go on sale next year.