The new 3.5 tonne Aero Luton delivers an affordable cube van into the market, providing customers with an impressive 15.6 square metre volume.  It's also an ideal vehicle for either box or refrigerated derivatives.

Evgeniy Vereshchagin, LDV Group's new chief executive said the Aero Luton provides yet another reason for customers to turn to the MAXUS range to meet their vehicle requirements:  “The Aero Luton is a fantastic example of the great vehicle building qualities housed at our Birmingham factory.  Our aim is to continue to expand the range to meet the needs of every type of customer.”

The new model includes all the driver-like comforts and vehicle features of the current MAXUS range and comes with the following as standard:

120PS engine
Ratcliffe Tailift
ABS with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution)
Driver's airbag
Power adjustable and heated mirrors
Electronic windows
CD player with MP3 compatibility
Height rise driver's seat
The Aero Luton is the result of a successful collaboration with JC Payne, producers of truck bodies, and the vehicle demonstrates how LDV Group can work with leaders in the field to deliver even more choice for customers.

Every 2008 MAXUS Aero Luton comes with MAXUS ONE, a comprehensive support package which covers all aspect of vehicle ownership including a 120,000 mile/four year warranty and a two year MAXUS Assist European roadside recovery programme as standard.

For further information on the MAXUS chassis cab range visit www.maxus.com.

The Prestige Sport Van is the result of a collaboration between LDV Group and Prestige Motor Homes, a specialist motor home manufacturer and importer based in Droitwich.  The 2.8 tonne MAXUS vehicle is designed for the weekend traveller and comes fully loaded for a fun trip away. 

Features on the black MAXUS include:

Double bed
Dining area
Entertainment system including CD player with MP3 compatibility and TV DVD satellite entertainment system
Full fitted kitchen with three burner hob, sink and fridge
Exterior styling includes roof rails, stainless steel nudge bars and rear door ladder
The second collaboration sees the company join forces with BVS UK and Bollanti to introduce a new private ambulance into the market.  The MAXUS ambulance is less than 3.5 tonnes fully loaded, a unique attribute for the ambulance market.  The 120PS long wheel base vehicle is built to CEN 1789 standards and comes with a five year warranty.

Features include:

Haztech LED light bar and siren system
Lateral hydraulic pull down suspension and wedge ramp
Durable Kevlar reinforced saloon
Electric windows
Electric adjusted and heated mirrors
CD player
Tailored interior
Configurable patient access
Accommodates all stretcher types

For further information on the MAXUS range visit www.maxus.com.

The commercial vehicle has been developed as part of a study to evaluate the opportunities for developing a MAXUS commercial vehicle of up to 7.5 tonnes for the European market. Launching the new MAXUS MX100, Martin Leach, Head of Light Commercial Vehicles, GAZ Group, said:

“We have ambitious growth plans for the MAXUS product range in Europe and firmly believe that this includes looking beyond our current weight range of 2.8 to 3.9 tonnes. The platform for the MX100 is from the durability proven Valday, a vehicle that has for many years operated under some of the toughest conditions in the world. This is one of a number of projects that we are working on and we are looking forward to exhibition visitors’ comments and reactions to assist us in developing the product itself and the distribution strategy.”

Together, GAZ Group and UltraMotive have created an exterior façade and stylish interior design based on the existing award-winning MAXUS product range which is manufactured in the UK.

Target specifications for the new MAXUS MX100 include:

• Euro 5 compliant 3.0L diesel engine

 • Power output 150PS

 • Torque 350 Nm

 • Payload over 4 tonnes

Mark, 37, replaces Gareth Kaye who has left the company and takes control of the Van sales operation for both new LDV and all makes used with immediate effect.

Mark said "Its a big challenge, but one I am looking forwards to. Gareth is a big act to follow but I am confident with the support of the team here at Sheffield we can build on the sucess of 2007 and take us onto the next level."

Kevin Brown joins LDV with over 22 years of automotive experience.  He has previously held senior management positions within Rover Group, Volkswagen Group and RAC Motoring Services, and is a former management consultant within KPMG’s automotive practice.

As part of his remit, Kevin will be responsible for leading the national fleet sales team and developing relationships with key fleet customers across the UK.

Speaking of his new role, Kevin said: “This is an exciting time to be part of LDV. The recent new product launches, including the MAXUS chassis cab, MAXUS minibus and bi-purpose range have certainty increased our portfolio, allowing us to offer customers even more choice. I am looking forward to developing this expanding brand and delivering vehicles to a wider customer base.”

 Kevin reports directly to sales and marketing director, Tony Lewis.  Tony said:  “Kevin’s credentials are extremely welcome at LDV.  Over the last 12 months LDV has gone from strength to strength and people like Kevin will be vital to our future growth aspirations.”

Kevin is a keen jazz enthusiast and coaches a boys’ football team in Warwick where he lives with his wife and two children.

LDV is ramping up production levels at its Birmingham factory to deliver vans to customers in just four weeks from order and minibuses within six weeks.

Tony Lewis, LDV’s sales and marketing director, believes the delivery times are some of the best buyers will find in the industry.  “Our latest customer research shows that one thing that annoys both retail customers and fleets is the long wait for delivery once an order has been placed.

“As a lean, customer-focused company, we’re responding to this by promising to deliver MAXUS vans within four weeks and minibuses within six.  Our MAXUS range has recently won many awards including Van of the Year 2007, Minibus of the Year 2007 and Combi of the Year 2007, and our next focus is fastest delivery time.”

These market leading delivery times for bespoke build are available to any customer whatever their size, although smaller orders can also be satisfied from our dealer network’s display stocks.

LDV’s MAXUS range comes with a five year, 100,000-mile manufacturer’s warranty.  Vans within the range include three roof heights, two wheelbase lengths and a choice of 2.8 tonne, 3.2 tonne and 3.5 tonne gross vehicle weights.   LDV’s MAXUS minibus range now includes 12, 15 and 17 seat models.

Less than a year since its purchase by GAZ International, LDV is demonstrating its true vehicle building credentials to both its new owners and customers.  Tony said:  “We’ve invested in more skilled labour, raised our efficiencies and increased production levels to meet demand.  For retail customers we have excellent finance deals including driving away for just £5.00 and our fleet customers can now benefit from LDV’s dedicated fleet team, which has tripled in size in the last few months.”

LDV’s MAXUS range benefits from class leading cost of ownership courtesy of 20,000 mile service intervals, excellent fuel economy, faster repair times, lower parts costs and higher residual values.

Roberto Salvador López (44) is the third senior appointment for LDV’s export team in as many months. 

Joining LDV directly from Honda Automóviles Espana where he was commercial manager, Roberto has developed his professional career in the automotive industry.  Prior to his position as commercial manager, Roberto was dealer development manager for Honda in Spain and area manager at Honda Spain and Citroen Spain.

The LDV business continues to expand under the new ownership of Russian firm GAZ Group, which purchased the van maker in 2006.  GAZ’s long-term business objective is to bring LDV’s award-winning MAXUS range to a global audience.

Roberto will be responsible for setting up the LDV office in Spain.  His initial focus is to establish a Spanish dealer network and to recruit a Spanish team to cover technical support and administration.  The team will assist dealers in working directly with the factory on order scheduling and deliveries.  LDV believes that Spain, France and Germany will be key growth markets during the next 12 months.

Speaking of his new role, Roberto said: “LDV is committed to building a strong European team and I’m excited to be part of it.  There is a determination to introduce the LDV MAXUS into as many European markets as possible and I’m looking forward to using my strategic and networking skills to deliver for the company in Spain.”

Roberto, who will report to LDV’s newly appointed export director, Robert Drewery, has a bachelor degree in business administration and has an MBA from the Instituto de Empresa, Madrid.

The awards took place in Birmingham and the independant panel made the decision to place Chatfields Sheffield at the top after considering the processes and managements and carried out extensive mystery shopping which all revealed the quality way the team deal with customers and present themselves and their products.

General Sales Team Leader, Gareth Kaye, said "This award was a real fillip for us and will be the catalyst to move our LDV department onto the next level. We are focused on delivering high levels of service and satisfaction to our customers and we feel the panel recognised this."

Dealer Principal, Chris Hird, added "This is an award for all the team at Sheffield involved in LCV sales and aftersales especially Gareth and his sales team of Mark Tomlinson and Terry Criscuolo who provide the face of Chatfields to our van customers"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6580000/newsid_6588400/6588419.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm

We began the three-day event with a press conference for over 50 journalists where our chief executive, Steve Young and chairman, Martin Leach, provided the media with a business update.   Headlines included our rising success and a $100 million investment by our Russian owners GAZ. GAZ’s president, Eric Eberhardson travelled to Birmingham to specifically share this news with the media.

On the stand, we revealed a whole host of new products from a new chassis cab range, to minibuses and MPT bi-purpose models.  Two new engines are were also unveiled.

The Birmingham-based light commercial vehicle specialist was awarded Royal Mail Letters’ Supplier of the Year and Royal Mail Group Vehicles Vendor of the Year.

LDV is going from strength to strength since being bought out by Russian firm GAZ International last August. The van maker celebrated its success by recently taking an order from Royal Mail for a further 122 MAXUS vehicles following the awards. The order takes the number of MAXUS vehicles supplied by LDV to Royal Mail in the last financial year to 1482 – the most it has supplied in the last three years.

Martin Leach, LDV’s chairman, received the award on behalf of the company. He said: "This is fantastic news for the whole team. We are constantly striving to produce exactly what Royal Mail requires whether it be a van, a bi-purpose vehicle for deliveries and passengers or, as was recently requested, maintenance vehicles for workshops."

LDV’s Special Vehicle Operations department plays a large role in meeting the needs of Royal Mail. In the last 12 months, further vehicles from LDV’s MAXUS range have included vans with rear roller shutter doors, bespoke long wheel base hi-roof vans with a lift to accommodate York trolleys and roadside recovery vehicles.

Ninian Wilson, Royal Mail’s group director procurement presented LDV with its awards. He said: "Key trusted suppliers play a vital role in our success. LDV has demonstrated its commitment to our business and its determination to meet our exact requirements on time, on budget and to specification."

The award winning LDV MAXUS finished the year strongly with 407 vehicles registered in December, more than double the quantity sold in the corresponding period of 2005, taking the full year total to 6,722. 2006 sales finished 61 per cent higher than in 2005.

Steve Young, LDV’s chief executive said: “I are delighted with the progress made since LDV was acquired by GAZ Group. We set a challenge to register 3,500 new MAXUS products from the take over at the end of July to the end of 2006 and we have exceeded that target. This has enabled us increase our manufacturing rates which are now running 36 per cent higher than they were in August 2006, and create a further 50 new jobs.

“Moving forward we will be looking to increase our registration performance both in the UK and in export markets. We will introduce new derivatives of our minibus range, including 10, 12 and 17 seat versions, together with an all new MAXUS chassis cab. 2007 will be an important year for the company and one that will clearly position the MAXUS product range in all of the major light commercial vehicle sectors in the UK market.”

 LDV manufacture and distribute the award winning range of MAXUS vans, bi-purpose vehicles and minibuses.

Van specialist LDV and its 70-strong dealer network have joined forces to launch the industry’s first ever manufacturer-led approved used sales website for van operators throughout the UK.

The new website – www.1000vans.com - will sell vans from every manufacturer including Ford, Mercedes, Citroen, Iveco and Volkswagen as well as LDV’s own award-winning MAXUS.

The site will be updated daily as vans throughout the UK become available.  Pictures, specifications and prices will be posted on the site and customers have the reassurance that prior to sale, all vehicles will be subject to LDV’s Vanguard Programme, which includes:

• Multi-point check
• Full service
• 12 month MOT
• HPI certificate
• Mileage check
• 30-day exchange plan
• Manufacturer’s warranty balance

Customers will benefit from the widest selection of used vans in the UK with simple and straightforward used van finance plans that are easy to understand and can be adjusted to fit individual budgets.  Purchasers can also choose to upgrade their van online with a list of van extras including sign writing, satellite navigation, plywood lining kit and load space bulkhead. 

Sales & Marketing Director, Tony Lewis said the site was being launched in response to growing customer demand.  “Through the introduction of the www.1000vans.com website we are extending our sales channel to encompass a growing number of people that are too busy to trawl individual manufacturer’s showrooms and used van firms searching for a van. 

“The purchase of any used vehicle from the 1000vans website has the assurance that it is backed by the UK’s specialist light commercial vehicle manufacturer and is supported in service through the best in class aftersales programme delivered through our nationwide group of dealers.”

To ensure you get the best service as a Fleet user, please speak to our Fleet LDV Specialist, Tim Cattlin on 07771 837731

• Deposits are anything from 3 rentals upwards.
• Total budgetary control - fixed costs, as long as you stay within the mileage.
• Monthly repayments are subject to VAT – then claimed back if VAT registered.
• Rentals are 100% allowable against taxable profits.
• Fixed maintenance package to include all services, repairs, tyres, dependant on contract type.
• At the end of the contract, you simply hand the vehicle back.
• The vehicle is subjected to an inspection on return where any reconditioning costs are charged to you.

• Deposits are usually the equivalent of three rentals. but can be any amount whatsoever.
• Repayment period normally up to 48 months
• VAT is paid monthly, then claimed as normal if  VAT registered.
• Rentals are 100% allowable against taxable profits
• Facility can have a balloon profile, which defers a payment to the end of the contract - thus reducing monthly rental and aiding cash flow.
• Vehicle sold or part-exchanged at end of contract hirer benefits from 95% of sales proceeds (ex. VAT).
• Ideal for non-VAT registered business users looking for low initial deposit and maximum flexibility
• No mileage clauses.

If ownership is a priority then this is a cost-effective route to purchasing your new or used LDV

• Flexible Repayment period – normally up to 60 months.
• Fixed Monthly Repayment aids your budgetary control and cash flow.
• Monthly repayments are VAT free.
• VAT deposit reclaimable (VAT registered customers)
• All of the of interest charges can be offset against taxable profits.
• Vehicle is an asset on your balance sheet and benefits from writing down allowances.

Gareth said "It became clear earlier this year, the site on which the Van Centre was based was starting to show its age a little. It was purpose built about ten years ago and just needed a little freshening to ensure our team members and customers enjoyed being in and around the place"

The new and used van display area underwent a revamp along with a large amount of gardening and exterior tidying. Also the internal areas were all redecorated with new doors and windows to the service area of the business.

"The new LDV signage will go up in early December to meet the new guidelines" continued Gareth "and the smart, modern silver signs will really lift the place. It also demonstrates our continued commitment to both the LDV franchise and the way we take car of  our customers"

Check back in January for some photos of the new building in all its glory!