NISSAN VAN REPORT REVEALS VAN DRIVER SECRETS
Nissan has today made available its first ever detailed report into the modern day professional driver. The official launch of the Nissan Van Report comes as Nissan debuts the widely anticipated 100% electric eNV200 at the CV Show.
Some of the interesting facts published in the 2013 Nissan Van Report include how van drivers are better drivers when their van is clean, their favourite radio station is Radio 2, a packed lunch is their food of choice, some take a nap when they are stuck in a traffic jam and the majority of van drivers are over 45 years old.
For fleet managers, the Van Report shows managing rising fuel prices, vehicle purchase and running costs, and protecting vans from future regulation are all key priorities.
The survey also shattered some van driver stereotypes. How many motorists have seen vans with ‘clean me' etched into the dirt and grime? The research shows van cleanliness is not a laughing matter with 92% of drivers saying they feel better when driving a clean vehicle and three out of four (72%) believe it actually makes them a better driver.
Nearly half of drivers questioned (48%) are driving 100 miles or less per day reinforcing they could successfully use a Nissan eNV200 van without having to compromise their daily delivery routines. Spending longer behind the wheel are the 26% of drivers who said they drove more than 200 miles every day.
More than one third of van drivers (39%) are over 45 years of age, but only 3% of respondents were aged between 16-24, reinforcing that companies will have to start recruiting young blood to replace an ageing workforce. Van drivers are a loyal bunch with 45% of respondents saying they had been with their employer for six years or more.
For fleet managers, one half (51%) of respondents said driver training is the most popular measure to reduce fuel use, along with technological interventions such as speed limiters (37%) and telematics (35%).
Costs are clearly a big driver for respondents adding vans to their fleet, with whole life costs (25%) and front-end prices (18%) major considerations. Contract hire monthly rates (12%) and strong residuals (8%) were also important but vehicle reliability was only listed by 7% of fleet managers.
Like van drivers, fleet managers are a loyal bunch with more than half (56%) saying they had been in their current job over 11 years.
"Our research gives an insight into what modern day van drivers and fleet managers are thinking and the challenges they face as part of a modern van fleet," said Jon Pollock, Nissan's corporate sales director.
"With almost half of van drivers questioned driving less than 100 miles a day, the research further supports our decision to build an electric van and we are excited to be showcasing the new zero CO2 emission eNV200 in the UK for first time at the CV show, which also responds to the need for reduced fuel costs."
To collect a hard copy of the Van Report, please visit the Nissan stand (3A80) at the CV show at the NEC in Birmingham.
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About Nissan in the UK
- Nissan Sunderland Plant produces the Nissan Qashqai, Note and Juke and will manufacture the 100% electric Nissan LEAF later this year
- Production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles began last year, 2012
- Total plant volume since 1986 stands at more than seven million units with 85 per cent of production exported to 104 markets worldwide
- Total investment made and announced since then is £3.5 billion
- 510,572 units were produced at Sunderland plant in 2012, a plant record
- Sunderland Plant currently employs 6,000 people
- Nissan's European Design Centre is located in Paddington, London and employs around 50 people
- Nissan's European Technical Centre is based in Cranfield, Bedfordshire and employs around 500 people
About Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 695,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.
