Manufacturers are always on the look out for niche markets to fill with what they claim is a totally new concept in motoring.
One of the more successful recent niches must be the double-cab pick up, helped by a tax loophole that I don't know much about.
A niche that has yet to be exploited is the 5-seater van based on an MPV like a Galaxy or Espace. 2 rows of seats, 4 passenger doors but with a windowless rear cargo compartment with removable partition. Ideal for caravanners, campers, police forces. A wheelbase extended behind the rear passenger doors and a longer rear overhang would provide a useful rear cargo space suitable for carrying bikes etc.
This type of vehicle could also be used as a combined taxi / courier van - think, it's driver would be a new breed - White Van Cabbie!
The nearest I can think of to this idea is the Mercedes Vito.
Cheers, SS
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One local taxi firm that specialises particularly in airport runs uses a Vito in almost this configuration, but the rear space is used for the large amount of luggage needed to be conveyed to and from the airport as well as passengers.
The Vito used to be/may still be sold with a full seating interior complete with captain's chairs and table.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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For this to work the same way as double cabs the payload of the van would need to be 1000kg.
This works because customs classify any vehicle of this capacity as a commercial,and therefore VAT registered business's can claim back the VAT on the purchase (which you can't do on a car).
There is also (at present) an advantage for the company car user, as 'vans' are subject to a much lower tax charge.
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I wasn't thinking of the 5-seater MPV / van crossover as a tax loop-holer so much as a useful type of vehicle for which there might be an untapped market. If I was in the market for a brand new vehicle I'd consider one.
Cheers, SS
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Do a Google of "crew van".
They already exist, if you go through the options list of pretty much any van you can build yourself one, but the most important aspect of most van buyers is load space rather than passenger carrying capabilites.
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A couple of professional rugby players I know run around in pick ups purely for the fact they can claim back the VAT through companies they have set up. They also run their 'image rights' allowances through the same company.
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IIRC, Kia used to offer a version of the Carens MPV with a partitioned-off luggage compartment with blanked out windows.
Any other such vehicles I've seen looked like after-market conversions of vans, usually Transits or VW Transporters.
Regards,
- Grommit
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