Commercial SUVs continue to be in hot demand with Pick-Ups increasingly popular, writes Jarlath Sweeney
Sales of commercial SUVs continue unabated in this country, reflecting the significant tax savings available on such vehicles.
Indeed commercial Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) and Pick-Ups account for about a third of all sales in this market segment, far more than in any of our European neighbours.
Car importers/distributors see this business sector as a convenient and lucrative way to increase sales of SUVs by replacing rear seats with a solid flat floor and covering the side windows with a steel panel, thus making the vehicle exempt from passenger vehicle registration tax (VRT) and VAT charges for business buyers.
Meanwhile the Pick-Up, traditionally the preserve of the building contractor, is also experiencing a sales boom, its second of recent years. Having suffered a slump following a change in the VRT structure four years ago - a legacy of former Finance Minister, Charlie McCreevy - sales this year have doubled compared to the same period last year, thanks to a raft of new models offering greater comfort and style than ever before.
Increasingly double-cab Pick-Ups are sold primarily as leisure activity vehicles with a smaller percentage used as workhorses.
Fewer manufacturers are involved in this area of the market place, just seven in fact (compared to 13 marques vying for market share in the commercial SUV class).
The significance of the contribution made by manufacturers in this particular field has led to the Irish Motor Writers Association's introduction of a commercial SUV category in its Semperit Irish Van of the Year Awards.
The following is an A-Z guide of what's currently available and what's to come during the course of 2007.
FIAT
Launched as the Italian company's first real foray into the growing world of SUVs, the Sedici 4x4 is a joint venture between Fiat and Suzuki.
Uptake on the Sedici across the EU has meant that the order bank at the Suzuki factory in Hungary has oversubscribed its target and is busily meeting this increased demand.
A commercial version of the Sedici 4x4 is now entering the scene.
HYUNDAI
Just as the new Santa Fe has been well received by the buying public, so too has the commercial variant.
Bigger, wider and better all round describes the 2.2-litre CRDi powered 2WD/4WD.
For less cost there's the Tuscon Commercial and for a more powerful option, the Terracan fits the bill here, but is a poor seller.
JEEP
Even before DaimlerChrysler decided to sell a majority of its Chrysler shares to a private equity group, moves were afoot to expand its SUV line-up. Following the introduction of commercial versions of the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, look out for commercial type approval for the new Patriot due later this year.
KIA
Kia Motors Ireland is pursuing every avenue possible to increase its footprint on the road and with the Sorento and Sportage load carriers, interest in the Korean manufacturer's offering has been encouraging. Between the two models Kia has now achieved over five per cent share of the market in a very short time.
LAND ROVER
For looks, robustness and a touch of class, then look no further than the Discovery3. Its cubic design style renders it well for ready-to-fit shelving/racking systems that are provided by the likes of Sortimo, Modul Systems, Bott etc. There is no word as yet whether the commercial version of the Freelander2 will enter dealerships but it is unlikely to happen before January 1st, 2008, as passenger variants are selling extremely well.
MITSUBISHI
Even though Mitsubishi enjoys a large slice of the commercial SUV cake year-on-year with its three-door and five-door Pajero (which received a welcomed makeover recently) a new focus of attention will centre towards the fleet sector once the commercial version of the new Outlander hits the streets later this year.
NISSAN
From the long serving Patrol to the appealing Pathfinder, Nissan's off-road commercial fleet is set to get a fresh injection of life once the revised X-Trail Van arrives here shortly. Sporting a new face and interior modifications, there is no doubt that the Japanese automaker will further increase its penetration of this sector.
However, due to the long waiting list for its predominately successful Qashqai, it's unlikely that a CV or Van model will be available short term.
SSANGYONG
In recent months, Korean firm SsangYong, through its Irish importers introduced its third SUV in the shape of the Actyon. Looks aside, value for money is the attractive aspect and that value is also found with the other commercial versions in the range, namely Rodius and Kyron. For two-wheel SUV drivers, there's the big volume Rodius. Mercedes derived diesel power is another plus factor of choosing SsangYong.
OPEL
The Antara from Opel, a sister vehicle to the Chevrolet Captiva, will launch here later this year in passenger guise. Expect to see a commercial version in 2008.
SUZUKI
With the three-door model of the Grand Vitaras, Suzuki soaked up the youth-orientated sector following the discontinuation of the three-door Toyota RAV4 and Land Rover Freelander.
Suzuki Ireland gained some loyal followers with the outgoing long wheel base Grand Vitara Commercial and repeat buyers along with conquest sales will ensure that the conversion staff will be kept busy.
TOYOTA
For all-round performance both on and off-road, the Toyota Land Cruiser is king and its reign at the top and is untouchable despite all the competition. Delivery delays aside (due to continuous demand), customers are willing to wait. It's practically unbeatable as its 40 per cent market share indicates.
VOLKSWAGEN
VW was somewhat recalcitrant to enter the SUV Commercial market place, but the Touareg Business is proving to be a resounding success with nearly 7 per cent market share this year. Available in 2.5 and 3.0-litre TDI diesels, a recently introduced revised version features new exterior and interior updates. Further down the road, expect to see a commercial version of the Tiguan, a new compact SUV from the German manufacturer.
4x4 Pick-Ups
As mentioned previously, only seven main players compete in the 4x4 Pick-Up category. For the best part of two years Isuzu with the D-Max topped the sales charts but the Nissan Navara, winner of the Semperit Irish Commercial SUV of the Year 2007, is proving to be the runaway success so far this year with just under 48 per cent market share.
The Mitsubishi L200 is certainly a vehicle to get you noticed with its stunning style lines and is proving popular with buyers, vying with the Toyota Hilux for second in the sales chart.
The Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 are one of the same really. Both are manufactured in Thailand in the one plant. Different badging and some specification grades differentiate one from the other. It is fair to say however that the Ranger and BT-50 are vastly improved over their predecessors in terms of driveability and refinement.
The Toyota Hilux is a well proven workhorse, especially with a recent engine revision.
For ultimate durability, get the Land Rover Defender in Pick-Up form, powered by a Ford derived 2.4-litre Euro 4 diesel.