11.4.2005
Combo named “Small Van of the Year 2005”
The U.K.'s best-selling small van is also the best in its class -- that's the verdict of leading magazine Professional Van and Light Truck, which crowned the Vauxhall Combo its Small Van of the Year 2005 at this week's Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham.
The magazine, which caters mainly for small businesses and private buyers, assessed value for money, running costs, payload and durability as its main testing criteria.
Presenting the award, PV< editor John Fife said: "There's a whole range of vehicles in the Combo, including a clever crew cab. The new 1.3 CDTi diesel is a gem of an engine, with refinement and economy ideally suited to those who want a light delivery vehicle.”
"We're great advocates of the fact that you should never buy a bigger van than you need, and, thanks to its useful load space and car-like driving experience, the Combo more than fits the bill," he added.
The judges also singled out the Vauxhall Vivaro for praise, earning it a commendation in the Panel Van category.
The award comes as the Combo bolsters its position at the top of its segment's sales charts in the U.K. With 2,907 new Combos registered in March, the award-winner contributed to a record month of commercial vehicle sales for Vauxhall. The sales boom also helped Vauxhall record its highest-ever first-quarter market share, with griffin-badged vans accounting for an impressive 17.1 percent share of total LCV sales.