Autoblog

Mini bringing panel van to Geneva?

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Mini, Rumormill

Well, this certainly brings quite literal meaning to the word 'minivan'. According to Auto Motor und Sport, sources within BMW have reportedly confirmed that a new Mini-branded panel van - possibly dubbed Mini Cargo - will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Creating the Mini Cargo sounds like a simple enough process. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the work-ready hauler will be based on the Clubman, with the rear bench seat removed in favor of a long load floor. The rear side windows will be ditched for sheetmetal (like most panel vans), though it's unclear whether or not the rear windows will be left intact.

We're curious to see what other alterations will be made to the Clubman in its transition to a proper panel van. Will the passenger-side rear-hinged door be left alone, or will it be removed? Will the rear suspension be strengthened to accommodate for heavy hauling? Assuming that plans for a Mini Cargo are indeed underway, we'll have to wait until March to find out.

Mini bringing panel van to Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan planning retail NV200 model to combat Ford Transit Connect

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Nissan

While getting our first in-person look at the 2012 Nissan NV3500 passenger van today, Nissan's Vice President of Commercial and Fleet Vehicles, Joe Castelli, informed Autoblog that there's plenty more news to come from the automaker's nascent commercial vehicle line in the very near future.

Obviously, the major news surrounding Nissan's commercial business was the recent announcement that its NV200 van has been selected to be the next-generation New York City taxi - big shoes to fill now that the Ford Crown Victoria has finally ceased production. To build on the momentum of the NV200 taxi here in the States, Castelli tells us that Nissan plans to offer a retail version to fill out its commercial vehicle line. Consider it Nissan's answer to the Ford Transit Connect.

The NV200 is already sold in other markets (the European version is pictured above) and Castelli says that while some modifications will need to be made before it enters the U.S. market, it's something Nissan is willing to take on. After all, the NV is already being repurposed for taxi duty, so transforming it into a work-ready small van should be a piece of cake. Let's just hope it has a quicker start out of the gate than Nissan's full-size NV line, which has struggled to find early sales traction here in North America.

Nissan planning retail NV200 model to combat Ford Transit Connect originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan NV van stumbling out of the gate

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Work, Nissan

Nissan found out what full-size cargo van buyers wanted in a van, then created the NV to satisfy their requests. It's one thing to get a consumer to tell you what he wants, however, and another to get him to actually buy what you make for him. That's the issue Nissan faces. Dealers are sitting on a 205-day inventory of NVs as of the end of September.

Everyone knew there'd be more to this than just "If you build it...", since the NV is the "new guy" in the segment, going against titans like Ford and General Motors as well as the runaway success of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. NV sales this year are less than a tenth of the Chevy Express and less than one-twentieth of the Ford E-Series. In addition to market share and momentum, those other offerings have fully developed dealer networks. Nissan is still working to complete its own.

It's still early enough in the game that it's not worth trying to predict the NV's future. It has some help on the way, with a passenger version and the NV200 New York City taxi rolling out next year.

Nissan NV van stumbling out of the gate originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Diesel

2012 Volkswagen Crafter - Click above for high-res image gallery

Big vans are the workhorses of countries like the UK, and Volkswagen is keen to take a bigger slice of that particular pie with its new Crafter. Unveiled this week at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC, the new van is an update on the previous model that was unveiled at the same expo five years ago.

The Crafter was co-developed with Mercedes-Benz and is once again based on the Sprinter chassis, but the driveline (as well as the new front-end styling) are Volkswagen's. The new range of engines are lighter, more fuel efficient, less polluting and altogether cheaper to run, allowing for increased payloads in the process.

Follow the jump for the full press releases, and click on the thumbnails below for high-resolution images.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Crafter

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van

Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan NV commercial truck production gets underway

Jeff Glucker — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Work, Nissan

Nissan NV work trucks - Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan has kicked off production of its all-new 2012 NV commercial truck. Scheduled to go on sale this spring, the NV will be available in three variants; NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD. Two different configurations will also be offered: a standard roof or high roof that offers more interior work and/or cargo space.

Power comes from a choice of familiar six or eight-cylinder engines. The 4.0-liter V6 produces 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque while the 5.6-liter V8 delivers 317 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. Both engines drive the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission.

Body-on-frame construction should help the NV go a long way in the rugged work truck category. Inside, a few trick features will help further set it apart from competitors like the Ford Transit Connect. The passenger seat folds flat to offer up its backside as a workspace. The large, lockable center console offers plenty of storage and 120V outlets are installed front and rear.

The 2012 Nissan NV starts at an MSRP of $24,950. Once the NV configurator comes online, we (and tradesmen in need of a new ride) should be able to elevate that sticker price significantly.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan NV

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan NV commercial truck production gets underway

Nissan NV commercial truck production gets underway originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades

Dan Roth — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:09:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Work, Ford

Just as Ford's F150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for decades, their E-Series (née Econoline) vans have also been sales champs since before the dawn of the 1980s. A strong presence in the trades delivers forty percent of the full-size van market to the E-Series. Ford's adding some new features and an upgraded interior to the E-Series for 2009 to help it continue to earn its keep. The full-sizers got an exterior nip and tuck last year, so the biggest body changes this year are rear doors that open wider.

Ford's Work Solutions system is a natural addition, and it makes just as much sense in the work van as it does in a pickup. The biggest news is a revised instrument panel with -- bar the door -- four auxiliary switches. Actually, not having a mish-mash of toggles and rockers drilled through the dash face for aftermarket gear is a nice touch. The panel itself has an uncluttered, no-nonsense layout, though the vents look like they could chew off errant fingers. Also on the new dash is a navigation system, which should lessen the "I'm lost, so I'm going to lunch" calls from contractors. American cargo vans are unsung utilitarian heroes, and Ford doesn't want its class leadership to slip away. Press release after the jump

Gallery: 2009 Ford E-Series

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades

VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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