Ford Transit costs less than in 1995

Ford's Transit van defies all cost of living trends and costs less now than it did in 1995. The 2009 short wheelbase Ford Transit model not only costs less today but also includes safety and electronic features that were options on a 1995 Transit, creating a fabulous value for money package.

The 1995 base model, short wheelbase Transit with a 900kg payload started out at £12,270, equivalent to £17,001.95 using the latest 2007 retail price index figures. A similar 2009 Transit model costs £14,920. Also, to specify the 1995 model up to today's standard model you would have had to spend a further £3,860 on optional extras.

Apart from a 2009 base model coming with features such as air bags, ABS and power steering, today's Transit is more powerful, more comfortable, more economical and greener too. Ford Transit has been at the forefront of many safety developments and today features ESP, ABS, driver's air bag and steel bulkhead as standard.

Steve Kimber, commercial vehicles director, Ford of Britain said: "A loaf of bread cost seven pence in 1995, today it is more than 17 times dearer. With vans, customer expectations in terms of driver comfort and safety have risen considerably since 1995 but the price hasn't. I can't think of a better value proposition for a van that is still the best business partner you can buy."

Welcome to North West Vans website

North West Vans is a new website dedicated to the van dealers and van buyers throughout the region. Yes, there is an alternative to Autotrader when it comes to finding your next van.

From Arranging viewing, sorting your van finance with Prime, Near Prime and Sub Prime facilities to helping you find the most competitive van insurance and creating your own personal image on the van with our specialist van wrapping service. On top of that, we can help arrange your hands free kit to fit in the Van..There is no other website to be on only www.northwestvans.co.uk

Think twice before going to the bank to finance a van!

Looking to acquire a van? Aiming to do so using finance? Then you may want to think twice about going to your bank in today’s tough times.

If you’ve got an overdraft, then employing the bank’s funding to buy a vehicle may leave it feeling over-exposed to any risk your firm poses.

As a consequence it may refuse to increase your overdraft if you face a sudden emergency; if a key client goes bust for instance. It may even insist you reduce it, leaving you with a monumental cashflow problem; the sort of problem that could put you out of business.

What you should look for is another line of credit; funding from a finance house that is not linked to your bank, possibly arranged through a broker. Alternatively you can find out what sort of finance packages the dealer who is supplying your van can offer.

VAT Upfront

Go the HP route and you will almost certainly be required to pay all the VAT on the vehicle upfront. OK, you’ll get the money back if you’re a registered business, but that can take time and place a strain on your cashflow.

Deferral schemes are available under which the finance company will pay the VAT for you and recoup the cost by adding so much to your monthly payments. However it will usually only be willing to do so if you have a healthy financial track record, and using the facility will of course end up costing you more.

Gap Insurance

Whoever you borrow money from, make sure you take out gap insurance. It covers the difference between the sum you’ve been advanced and the van’s write-off value if it’s wrecked in a collision.

Fail to opt for it and you may find yourself stuck with repaying a loan on a vehicle that no longer exists. “We encourage people to take it out,” says Mark Duckering, brand manager at Renault Finance

Centrix Asset Finance Ltd is member of St Helens Chamber

Centrix Asset Finance is a member of the award winning St Helens Chamber, all members are welcome to contact us and benefit from extra rate discounts, please call us for further information.

NORTHWESTVANS AMAZING DEALS ON BRAND NEW CITROENS

NORTHWESTVANS are pleased to annouce a great new offer to all our visitors and customers, we have teamed up with Citroen to provide you amazing deals on Citroen Vans

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LDV Vans saved

The sale of Birmingham-based van maker LDV to Malaysian firm Weststar has been agreed, a company spokesman has said.

LDV marketing director Guy Jones said the deal would secure production in Birmingham, although he could not guarantee all jobs would be saved.

The UK government will provide a £5m four-week bridging loan to allow time for the takeover to be completed.

Moves to put LDV into administration were adjourned for a week at a court hearing earlier.

Mr Jones said the deal would take another couple of weeks to finalise and no date had been set for production to restart.

WHO IS WESTSTAR?

Privately-owned Malaysian company, founded in 2003

Runs Honda car dealerships across Malaysia

Has been selling LDV's Maxus van in south east Asia and the Middle East since 2007

Assembles LDV vans in Malaysia and markets them across South East Asia and the Middle East

Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle, a member of the Business and Enterprise Committee, said: "This deal has given LDV a crucial lifeline, which will benefit the workers, local economy and manufacturing.

"It is now essential that all concentration is given to ensure that as many jobs as possible are retained."

It is understood LDV and Weststar had reached a deal earlier in the week, but that it relied on the government financing.

The government has made it clear the £5m is a one-off bridging loan that cannot be extended.

'Significant development'

LDV had been due to go into administration at a hearing on Wednesday, but the court was told that LDV's Russian owner Gaz had sold its stake in the firm to Weststar.

The van maker will report on the progress of the deal to the court on 13 May.

LDV's Mr Jones said the moves were "a significant development for LDV and a major step towards an exciting new future for the company".

However, he added: "We cannot stand here today and guarantee the jobs. The marketplace will determine how many jobs are required."

LDV employs 850 workers and is also a key customer for many suppliers. It employs 1,200 people in dealerships.

The company's plant has been at a near-standstill since before Christmas.

R&M Metal Finishings, a company in Stourbridge, West Midlands, supplies components such as bumpers to automotive firms, and LDV makes up about 12% of its orders.

The company's managing director, Spike Rogers, said his staff had been on a shorter working week since December and he was very pleased at the news about LDV.

"There has been a lot of uncertainty but it is looking promising now," he said. "LDV are a good customer of ours and it has been a quiet period sine December."

The chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Paul Everitt, said the rescue deal was a vote of confidence in the industry.

"I think it does signal that there are now investors out there taking a longer term view and they see the UK motor industry as being a good investment - an industry that has a strong future," he said.

'Long way to go'

Following the news of the government loan, Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of trade union Unite, said he was "delighted at the government's backing for this company".

"There's a long way to go yet, but now thoughts can turn to building a serious and successful future for this company, and to getting these men and women, who have not built a vehicle in months, back to work," he said.

In February, LDV asked the government for a bridging loan because it was "literally running out of cash".

At the time the government said the taxpayer could not be expected to pay for the company's losses, but that talks with LDV were "ongoing and regular".

LDV, which was put up for sale by its Russian owner Gaz late last year, has a long-term association with Weststar making LDV commercial vehicles in Malaysia.

End of the road for the british van???

LDV, the midlands-based commercial vehicle manufacturer, has gone into administration.

The vanmaker, which makes the Maxus range of vans and spin offs including minibuses and an electric light commercial van, has been on a downward spiral since manufacturing was suspended late last year.

Last month, it was granted a £5 million bridging loan from the Government while its sale to the Malaysian manufacturer, Weststar was completed.

However, Weststar was unable to secure the funds needed for the purchase and pulled out last week, leaving LDV with no choice but to reapply for administration.

The hearing took place at 10:15 this morning in Birmingham central court.

Weststar has suggested it is still interested in buying the company, but if it does so, it is now likely that it will buy it from the administrators.

We can help you get van finance today!

We are able to consider all circumstances - whether you are a new start business, have county court judgments (CCJs), defaults or just a poor credit rating, we can help you get the new van that your business needs. Our specialist will be able to help guide you toward the correct van for your business and as we stock a wide range of new UK vehicles including Ford vans, Renault Vans, Vauxhall vans, Fiat vans, Citroen vans and Iveco vans. Our online application form will enable you to speed up the process of applying for credit for your new van.

We can help you get van finance today!

Vat Increase to 20%

The goverment has annouced a VAT rise of 2.5% to 20%, this effects all vat qualifying commercial vehicles. This Comes into effect from January 2011.

Huge savings can now be achieved by buying your van on finance and avoiding the tax increase.

Call us now and allow us to search, find, finance and deliver huge savings to you, the van driver...0844 335 0343