White van man's reputation is 'unfounded'

White van man's reputation as an aggressive, unsafe driver is unfounded, according to research commissioned by Vauxhall.
The 2004 Light Commercial Vehicle Trends report shows that 41% of vehicle fleet managers believe their light commercial vehicle (LCV) fleet accident rate is lower than their car fleet accident rate. And a further 29% consider the two rates to be the same.
According to research author Professor Peter Cooke of Nottingham Business School, this means that there may be significant insurance cost savings for fleet operators that separate their car and van insurance deals.
Currently only 5% of fleets have specific LCV insurance packages.
Copies of the 80-page report are available from the Vauxhall Vans hotline on 087001 00651.
<F03C> Vauxhall is celebrating the launch of its new "seriously big" Movano van with the news that its market share in the sub-3.5t light commercials market has increased from 9.7% in 2001 to 16.2% in 2003.
The company also claimed that both its Movano and Vivaro vans outsold Ford's Transit in the retail market in September 2003.