Vans

Renault has recently joined its French rival Peugeot in offering a full-electric small van in Australia. However, given its high purchase price, does it bring enough value in other ways to be a genuine alternative to VW's enduringly popular Caddy Cargo range?

VW's uber-cool ID. Buzz electric people mover gets all the headlines while its commercial alter-ego, the ID. Buzz Cargo has subtly entered the local market. Does this hard-working van offer the day-to-day performance, practicality and efficiency business operators demand? Dave Morley's on a mission to find out.

Ford has rolled out massive discounts across its vehicle range, including on Australia’s best-selling vehicle.  Variants of everything from the low-volume E-Transit to market-leading Ford Ranger ute are on special, with the family-favourite Everest SUV also on offer. 

Volkswagen Australia has announced its new-generation Multivan people mover will arrive early in 2025 ready to compete with Kia’s segment-leading Carnival.Volkswagen said the new Multivan will land in Australia during Q2 next year.It will initially be available in one form: the TDI 350 Life, which can be had with a short wheelbase (SWB) for a list price $75,990 or long wheelbase (LWB) for $78,990.The difference in dimensions sees an increase of the SWB’s overall length from 4973mm to 5173mm in the LWB. Volkswagen said a Style grade will join it in 2025, along with another powertrain.The Multivan is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel unit making 110kW and 360Nm. The Life is typically the entry grade into Volkswagen's ranges and Style often sits above that in the line-up and offers more premium touches and features.All new Multivans will be seven seaters, but unlike the competitors seating is extremely versatile with multiple combinations and layouts possible for passengers and cargo.Standard features on the TDI 350 Life include 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, power tailgate, 10.0-inch media screen, a digital instrument cluster and leather-clad steering wheel. All new-generation models typically represent a significant change to the models they supersede, in the case of the Mutlivan this is especially true. The new vehicle has now been built on what is a car and SUV platform that also underpins Volkswagen’s Golf and Tiguan.“The Multivan has always been about offering amazing practicality and comfort, and the all-new generation further extends that approach on the same platform as a Golf or Tiguan,” said Volkswagen Commercial vehicles director Ryan Davies. “This vehicle is engineering led, loyal and new customers are buying into a level of refinement, packaging intelligence and seating versatility never before seen among people movers."Volkswagen will be hoping to steal some of the sales and limelight away from the Kia Carnival with Multivan, but won’t be able to beat it on price. Currently the Carnival starts at $50,150 for the entry grade petrol variant and extends up to $76,210 for the top-of-the-range hybrid version.It might not be able to go as low in price, but Volkswagen will compete with versatility and choice not just in the Multivan itself but in the more van-like models to come in the form of the Transporter cargo carrier and fully electric ID. Buzz retro Kombi coming soon.“Within 12 months we will also offer this seven seat Multivan alongside a five and seven-seat fully electric ID. Buzz and commercial ID. Buzz Cargo, plus the all new Transporter and Caravelle,” said Mr Davies. “No other brand will offer such powertrain choice, nor will they have such a new range to offer.” 

Ford has announced it will add a plug-in hybrid variant to its Transit Custom lineup as it officially scraps plans to introduce the Puma Gen-E.Poised to arrive in Australia in Q3 2025, Ford Australia said the introduction of an additional plug-in hybrid variant is a part of its broader plans to further electrify its commercial lineup.“Ford Australia remains fully committed to offering low- or zero-emissions vehicles to Australians, particularly in the commercial sector,” said Marketing Director of Ford Australia, Ambrose Henderson.“While much focus has been put on electrifying vehicles favoured by private buyers, it’s also vital that Australia’s businesses are not left behind in the electric transition.”Set to line up alongside the electric E-Transit Custom, E-Transit and future plug-in hybrid Ranger PHEV, the E-Transit PHEV will carry a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a 11.6kWh battery pack.Exact range figures are yet to be confirmed, however, Ford said it is targeting a WLTP-rated pure electric range of 40km, which it believes will be sufficient enough for most urban journeys.“The addition of the PHEV to our local Transit Custom line-up means customers are able to conduct their shorter, inner urban, style trips on electric only power, with the freedom to make longer rural trips quickly and easily when required,” said Myles Hartley, General Manager of Electric Vehicles at Ford Australia.As with the current 2.0-litre diesel variant, the Transit Custom PHEV will be offered in both the short-wheelbase Sport and long-wheelbase Trend variants, though it won't be offered as a dual-cab.It will also be built on the same platform as the second-generation Transit Custom, which Ford released locally earlier this year. It delivered a suite of interior and exterior design and technology upgrades, as well as independent link suspension, which Ford said improved ergonomics and ride performance.Full pricing and specifications of the Transit Custom PHEV are expected closer to its launch date next year.

Ram and LDV, two brand’s under the umbrella of Australian vehicle distributor Ateco Group, have each been hit with recall notices, affecting the Ram 1500 and LDV Deliver 9 models.

Should this premium Pug be your Partner in trade?

The 2025 LDV Deliver 7 diesel has arrived in Australia joining the electric eDeliver 7 van. 

Following up the electric LDV eDeliver 7 comes the diesel-powered model which may look identical from the outside but is an altogether more traditional package. 

The Toyota HiAce dominates new one-tonne van sales in Australia by a staggering margin. So, is there more to this workhorse than just unshakeable customer loyalty to the trusted Toyota badge?