The Institute of Transport Management recently conducted a survey of 1,000 franchised dealers in the UK – and the PR department at LDV are rather excited by one of the findings. Apparently 41% of those questioned said they want to sell the Maxus – Motor Transport’s current Fleet Van of the Year. The second highest ranking van was the Ford Transit, which appealed to 17% of dealers.
Well judging by this photograph, the Maxus seems to appeal to three-pointed star dealers too. Instead of opting for a Vito or Sprinter to deliver its parts, Mercedes-Benz of Bolton is running this LDV.

What great advertising for the Russian-owned van maker.

But while Mercedes dealers might be buying LDV vans, those in the know at Roadtransport Group are buying Mercedes-Benz cars like they’re going out of fashion. Last year web editor Toby Clark took delivery of a beautiful early 1970s 350SL, CM’s technical editor Colin Barnett bought a 2006 C320 CDi this week and last night I treated myself to a 280E. But before you start thinking that we’ve all got more money than sense at Roadtransport.com, let me explain a couple of things. Toby’s convertible "cost less than a Fiat Panda", according to Colin his C-Class has the same cost of ownership as a Ford Focus, and my 280 has an intergalactic mileage, is painted diarrhoea brown, and cost £500 on eBay.