This record is due to a healthy economy that is in full mutation. The rise in sales of vans can be explained by the advantageous concurrence of several factors such as the development of trade, rapid deliveries, broadening of the range offer and improved fit with the market. However, any increase in the market inevitably leads to a corresponding rise in competition. While foreign manufacturers have recently won shares on the French market (31.5% in 2006 against 29.3% in 2005), national brands still represent nearly 70% of the vehicles registered, despite a marked 12% drop in relation to the sales recorded during the early 1980s. 2007 got off to a good start with 77,900 vehicles registered during the first two months (up by 5.7%). France currently remains the European leader for LDV registrations (the European LDV sales growth rate has passed the 60% mark over the last 10 years). By the end of this year, the French fleet (15% of the total rolling fleet) should have broken through the 450,000 unit figure thanks to the arrival of new vehicle models, better adapted to Euro4 - the latest European anti-pollution standards. In terms of safety and communication, the latest technologies (geolocation, GPS and EIS) are increasingly used by professionals for deliveries, with tracking and traceability of the cold chain for the agro-foods sector. The LDV is a motorised vehicle with an authorised gross weight equal to or less than 3.5 tonnes. It is a favourite with food sector professionals, in particular due to its small size and its suitability for town driving, especially in towns with a high vehicle density and limited parking options. These vehicles are used for fairly frequent trips over short times and distances, as well as for fairly small volumes.
Over two thirds of LDVs are intended for professional use (17% of which concerns the retail trade). Used by private businesses (30%), companies (60%) and administrations and associations (10%), these vehicles generally travel around 16,000 km/year. Professional goods transport only represents 27% of total transported volumes. LDVs are chosen according to several criteria, i.e. safety (27%), vehicle specificity (24%), operational cost, brand (11%), fuel (10%), equipment (5%), horsepower (3%), etc .

In terms of technological progress, a LDV driver's first concern is safety (75%), followed by driving comfort (53%), communication equipment (42%) including GPS, telephone and onboard computer, not forgetting anti-theft devices (40%). In terms of equipment, LDV buyers are mainly looking for airbags (65%), electronic stability control systems (56%) and onboard navigation systems GPS (38%), speed regulation or limiting systems (37%), electronic alert systems for inter-vehicle safety distance (36%), and crossing of white lines (33%), LDV overload indicators (33%) and automatic gearboxes (29%).
There are significant differences between the equipment on offer for company vehicles and LDVs. This is the case with ABS devices (anti-blocking brake system, now part of the stock equipment in 85% of company vehicles, against 38% for LDVs), driver's airbags (97% against 66%) and passenger airbags (98% against 6%). The same applies to air-conditioning systems (excluding "air-con pack" formulas), which are all too frequently proposed only as an option for LDVs and sometimes are not even available. Due to the many constraints governing the transport of food products, the introduction of electronic and computer components into the latest LDV designs has enabled manufacturers to meet business customer requirements (retailers, restaurateurs, etc.) such as improved mileage, time saving and optimised delivery productivity. As regards the transport of perishable food goods, LDVs must be equipped to protect their cargo against any potential contamination that may affect their quality. Today's professionals have to take great care not to break the cold chain. As such, they can use a refrigerated LDV with regulatory equipment to transport food products under controlled temperature conditions, thereby ensuring their compliance with French order dated 20 July 1998 (superseded by French order dated 21 January 2005). They must equip their LDV with cold-conserving materials such as isothermal covers and containers, eutectic plates, etc. if the LDV is not insulated. Lastly, the purchase of a LDV depends on the available finances of the professional, who has to judge which formula (purchase or rental, cash or credit, long-term rental or leasing, etc.) will provide the best fit for its needs at best cost. (Source: CCFA, OVE, SEVE).
Francis Duriez