Van

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A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people. It is usually a box-shaped vehicle on four wheels, about the same width and length as a large automobile, but taller and usually higher off the ground, also referred to as a light commercial vehicle or LCV. However, in North America, the term may be used to refer to any truck with a rigid cargo body fixed to the cab, even up to large sizes.

In the UK usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon/sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs (such as pick-up trucks). There are vans in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the classic van version of the tiny Mini to the five metre long (LWB) variants of the Mercedes Sprinter van. Vehicles larger than this are classified as lorries (trucks).

Word usage and etymology

Lublin III van]] The word van is a shortened version of the word , which originally meant a covered vehicle.

The word van has slightly different, but overlapping, meanings in different forms of English. While the word always applies to boxy cargo vans, the most major differences in usage are found between the different English-speaking countries.

United Kingdom

British English speakers will generally refer to a passenger minivan as a people-carrier or MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle, and a larger passenger van as a minibus. Ford makes a distinct line of vans with short bonnets (hoods) and varying body sizes. Minivans are the same Vans but smaller. The driver's mate of a delivery van was sometimes referred to as a "vanguard." The Sun newspaper introduced the idea of "White Van Man", a typical working class man or small business owner who would have a white Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter or similar panel van. The Top Gear TV programme did a piece where the presenters had to buy a cheap panel van and then perform a series of tests. In reference to the reputation of van drivers style of driving on British roads, one of the tests was to tailgate a car travelling at 60 mph as closely as possible.

United States

In the United States, a van can also refer to a box-shaped trailer or semi-trailer used to carry goods. In this case there is a differentiation between a "dry van", used to carry most goods, and a refrigerated van, or reefer, used for cold goods. A railway car used to carry baggage is also called a van.

A vehicle referred to as a full size van is usually a large, boxy vehicle that has a platform and powertrain similar to their light truck counterparts. These vans may be sold with the space behind the front seats empty for transporting of goods (cargo van), or furnished for passenger use by either the manufacturer (Wagon) or another company for more personal comforts, such as entertainment systems (Conversion van). Full size vans often have a very short hood, with the engine block moved to within the passenger cabin.

A cutaway van chassis is a variation of the full size van which was developed for use by many second stage manufacturers. Such a unit generally has a van front end, and driver controls in a cab body which extends only to a point aft of the driver and passenger seats, where the rest of the van body is cutoff (leading to the terminology "cutaway"). From that point aft, usually only the chassis frame rails and running gear extend to the rear when the unit is shipped as an "incomplete vehicle". A second stage manufacturer, commonly known as a bodybuilder, will complete the vehicle for uses such as recreational vehicles, small school buses, minibuses, type III ambulances, and delivery trucks. A large portion of cutaway van chassis are equipped with dual rear wheels. Some second stage manufacturers also add a third weight-bearing single wheel "tag axle" for larger minibus models.

The term van may also refer to a Minivan. However, minivans are usually distinguished by their smaller size and traditionally front wheel drive powertrain, although many now are being equipped with four wheel drive. Minivans offer similar seating capacity (traditionally seven to eight passengers), and better fuel economy than full-size vans, at the expense of power, cargo space, and towing capacity. In addition, many new minivans have dual side sliding doors.

Japan

Early Japanese vans include the Mazda Bongo and the Subaru 360 van. The Japanese also produced many vans based on the American flat nose model, but also mini-vans which for the American market have generally evolved to the long-wheelbase front wheel drive form factor first pioneered by the Nissan Prairie and Mitsubishi Chariot. Microvans, vans that fulfill kei car regulations, are very popular for small business.

Australia

In Australian English, the term van is commonly used to describe a minivan, a passenger minibus, or an Australian panel van as manufactured by companies such as Holden and Ford at various times.

India

In India, van is one of the most common modes of transport and is often used for commuting school children to and from schools as parents, especially working parents are too busy to themselves pick their children from school and when school buses are full and unable to accommodate other children.

A full size van used for commercial purposes is also known as a van; however, a passenger vehicle with more than 7 or 8 seats is more likely to be called a minibus.

Finally, the term van can sometimes be used interchangeably with caravan, which in the U.S. is referred to as a travel trailer.

The British term people mover is also used in Australian English to describe a passenger van. The American usage of van to mean a cargo box trailer or semi-trailer is used rarely, if ever, in Australia.

Examples

's photographic van, Crimea, 1855]] The first generation of American vans were the 1960s compact vans, which were patterned in size after the Volkswagen Bus. The Corvair-based entry even aped the rear-mounted, air-cooled engine design. The Ford Falcon had a flat nose, with the engine mounted between and behind the front seats. The Dodge A100 had a similar layout and could accommodate a V-8. Chevrolet also switched to this layout. The Ford, Dodge and Corvair vans were also produced as pickup trucks.

The standard or full size vans appeared with Ford's innovation of moving the engine forward under a short hood and using pickup truck components and taillights. The engine cockpit housing is often called a dog house. Over time, they evolved longer noses and sleeker shapes. The Dodge Sportsman added a plug to the rear of a long wheelbase to create the 15 passenger van. They have been sold as both cargo and passenger models to the general public and as cutaway van chassis versions for second stage manufacturers to make box vans, ambulances, campers and other vehicles. Second stage manufacturers also modify the original manufacturer's body to create custom vans for the general public.

van in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts]]

In the 1970s, songs like "Chevy Van", written and performed by Sammy Johns, and nicknames like "sin bin" or "screw canoe" became part of the culture as owners transformed them into rolling bedrooms and lounges. Conversion vans became a large market with plusher accommodations than factory seats.

Dodge ended production of their full-size vans in June 2002 (as 2003 models), and replaced it with the German originated Dodge Sprinter, which is based on a narrower, more fuel-efficient European design pattern with a diesel turbo I5. Typical versions of the Sprinter are taller than other unmodified vans (tall enough to stand in), with a more slanted (aerodynamic) profile in front. They have been adopted primarily for delivery and lightweight Class-C van cab motor home applications.

Usage

In urban areas of the United States full-size vans have been used as commuter vans since 1971, when Dodge introduced a van that could transport up to 15 passengers. Commuter vans are used as an alternative to carpooling and other ride sharing arrangements.

Many mobile businesses use a van to carry almost their entire business to various places where they work. For instance, there are those who come to homes or places of business to perform services or to install or repair appliances.

Vans are also used to shuttle people and their luggage between hotels and airports, to transport commuters between parking lots and their places of work, and along established routes as minibuses.

Vans are also used to transport elderly and mobility-impaired worshipers to and from church services or to transport youth groups for outings to amusement parks, picnics, and visiting other churches.

Vans are also used by schools to drive sports teams to intermural games.

Step Van

Another type of van, peculiar to North America, is the step van, so called because of the ease with which one can step in and out of it. Widely used by delivery services, courier companies and the parcel division of the US Postal Service and Canada Post, they are often seen driven with the door open, especially in big cities. Step vans have more obviously boxy shapes and higher rooftops than other vans, and they are rarely employed for carrying passengers. step van.]] step van.]]

Rollover safety

Recently, the larger passenger versions have appeared in news stories for having a tendency to roll over, particularly in the case of inexperienced operators. The van body is taller than the cab and bed of the pickup that uses the same style frame and powertrain resulting in the basic van having a higher center of gravity than a similarly loaded pickup from which it is derived. The suspension is also higher because of the extreme weight capacity of 15 passengers of between and each which may be over one ton of passengers alone. The seats in the passenger version raise the load, passengers, above the floor, further raising the center of gravity (and often shifting it rearward). The bench seats allow passengers to slide if safety belts are not used. In the United States it is common for only the front seat passengers to use their safety belts, perhaps because belted passengers feel they can still lean and shift a large amount. However, the NHTSA, cited below, has determined that belted passengers are about four times more likely to survive in rollover crashes.

Safety can be greatly improved by understanding the unique characteristics of 12- & 15-passenger vans and by following a special set of guidelines developed for drivers, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A summary of this information is available at Reducing The Risk of Rollover Crashes in 15-Passenger Vans. Among other things, this document advises that carrying 10 or fewer passengers (preferably towards the front of the van) greatly reduces the risk of rollover crashes, and it suggests that repeated operation by the same drivers tends to increase their ability to handle these vehicles more safely over time. Car rental companies have also started adding stickers to warn renters about the difference in handling while compared to standard cars. Items should not be added to a roof rack of an already top-heavy vehicle.

Models of vans by manufacturer

Austin

Austin Mini

Austin A35

Austin A55

Asia

Asia Topic

Asia Towner

BMC Commercial Vehicles

Buick

Buick Terraza

'Chery Automobile'

V5 (codename B14) minivan

Karry a small panel van.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet Astro

Chevrolet Beauville

Chevrolet Corvair 95 Greenbriar

Chevrolet Express

Chevrolet G10/G20/G30

Chevrolet Lumina APV

Chevrolet Nomad

Chevrolet Supercarry

Chevrolet Uplander

Chevrolet Venture

Chrysler

Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler Voyager

Citroën

Citroën H Van

Citroën 2CV

Citroën Berlingo

Citroën C15

Citroën Jumpy

Citroën Jumper / Relay

Commer

Dacia

Dacia Logan VAN

Daewoo

Daewoo Damas

Daewoo Rezzo/Tacuma

Daihatsu

Daihatsu Atrai

Daihatsu Hijet

Dodge

Dodge A100

Dodge B Series B100, B150, B200, B250, B350

Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan

Dodge Coachman

Dodge MB Series MB-250, MB-350

Dodge Ram Van

Dodge Ram Wagon

Dodge Sportsman

Dodge Sprinter

Dodge Tradesman

Fiat

Fiat 238

Fiat 242

Fiat 600 T

Fiat 850 T

Fiat Panda van

Fiat Doblò

Fiat Ducato

Fiat Fiorino

Fiat Scudo

Ford

Ford Model T

Ford Aerostar

Ford Econoline

Ford E100 (Falcon) 1961-1967

Ford Econovan

Ford Freestar

Ford Club Wagon

Ford Transit, FK 1000

Ford Transit Connect

Ford Windstar

Freight Rover

Freight Rover Sherpa

Freight Rover 200 Series

Freight Rover 300 Series

Freightliner LLC

Freightliner Sprinter

FSC

FSC Żuk A 03, A 05, A 14, A 09, A 11, A 15, A 07, A 18, R, M, A 151 C, A 16 B

FSC Lublin 33, II, 3, 3Mi

FSO/ZSD

ZSD Nysa N57, N58, N59, N60, N61, N63, 501, 503, 521/522

GAZ

GAZelle

GMC

GMC Gaucho

GMC Gypsy

GMC Rally STX, Wagon

GMC Safari

GMC Savana

GMC Vandura 1500, 2500, 3500

Glas

Goggomobil TL

Grumman Olson

* UPS P-600 - chassis only

UPS P-800 - chassis only

Hanomag

Hanomag L28

Hanomag Kurier

Hanomag-Henschel F20

Honda

Honda Acty

Honda Elysion

Honda Life

Honda Mobilio

Honda Odyssey

Honda Pertner

Honda Stepwgn

Honda Vamos

Hyundai

Hyundai Entourage

Hyundai Grace

Hyundai Lavita/Matrix

Hyundai Starex

Hyundai Trajet XG

Isuzu

Isuzu Oasis

Isuzu Como

Isuzu Filly

Iveco

Iveco Daily

Jowett

Jowett Bradford

Kia

Kia Bongo

Kia Carens/Rondo

Kia Carnival/Sedona

Kia Carstar/Joice

Kia Pregio

LDV

LDV Pilot

LDV Convoy

LDV Cub

LDV Maxus

Leyland

Leyland Sherpa

Lloyd

Lloyd LT 400, 600

Mazda

Mazda Bongo/Bongo Brawny

Mazda MPV

Mahindra- Xylo

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz L319

Mercedes-Benz T1

Mercedes-Benz T2

Mercedes-Benz Vaneo

Mercedes-Benz Vario

Mercedes-Benz Vito

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

Mercury

Mercury Villager

Mercury Monterey

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Expo

Mitsubishi Minica

Mitsubishi Town Box

Mitsubishi L300

Mitsubishi Fuso Rosa

Morris

Morris Minor

Morris J4

Nissan

Datsun Cablight

Datsun Litevan

Nissan AD

Nissan Atlas/Atlas Walkthrue/Atlas Loco/Atlas MAX

Nissan Bluebird van

Datsun/Nissan Cabstar

Nissan Cedric van

Prince Gloria van/Nissan Gloria van

Nissan Caravan

Nissan Cherry van

Nissan Interstar

Nissan Kubistar

Nissan NV200

Nissan Prairie

Nissan Primastar

Nissan Quest

Nissan S-Cargo

Nissan Silkroad

Nissan Skyline van

Nissan Sunny van

Nissan Vanette

Oldsmobile

Oldsmobile Silhouette

Opel / Vauxhall

Opel Blitz

Opel Combo

Opel Corsavan

Opel Astravan

Opel Movano

Opel Sintra

Opel Vivaro

Peugeot

Peugeot J 7, J 9

Peugeot J5

Peugeot Boxer

Peugeot Expert

Peugeot Partner

Plymouth

Plymouth Voyager

Pontiac

Pontiac Montana

Pontiac Trans Sport

Renault

Renault Estafette

Renault 4 F4 and F6

Renault Kangoo

Renault Trafic

Renault Master

Rīgas Autobusu Fabrika

RAF-251

RAF-08

RAF-10

RAF-2203

RAF-22031

RAF-3311

RAF-33111

RAF-977

Saturn

Saturn Relay

SEAT

SEAT Inca

SsangYong

Istana

Rodius/Stavic

Subaru

Subaru 360 Comercial/Van

Subaru Domingo

Subaru Reone van

Subaru Sambar

Suzuki

Suzuki Alto

Suzuki Carry

Suzuki Supercarry

Suzuki Every

Autozam Scrum

Bedford Rascal

Holden Scurry

Maruti Versa

Tatra

Tatra 12

Tatra Beta

Tempo

Tempo Rapid

Tempo Wiking

Tempo Matador

Toyota

Tyopet Coronaline/Corona van/Toyota Corona van

Toyopet/Toyota Crown van

Toyopet Masteline

Toyota Carina van

Toyota Corolla van

Toyota Dyna

Toyota Granvia

Toyota Hiace

Toyota Hiace Regius

Toyota Regius Ace

Toyota Liteace

Toyota Mark II van

Toyota Noah/Voxy

Toyota Master Ace Surf Wagon / Van

Toyota Previa

Toyota Probox

Toyota Publica van

Toyota Quick Delivery / Urban Supporter

Toyota Sienna

Toyota Succeed

Toyota Toyoace

Toyota TownAce

Toyota Coaster

Vauxhall and Bedford

Bedford Beagle

Bedford CA

Bedford CF

Bedford Chevanne

Vauxhall Combo see Opel

Vauxhall Corsavan

Vauxhall Astravan

Vauxhall Rascal

Vauxhall Vivaro

Vauxhall Movano

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Volkswagen Caddy

Volkswagen Routan

(T4) Transporter / Kombi / Caravelle / Eurovan / Mutlivan

(T5) Transporter / Eurovan / Kombi / Caravelle / Mutlivan

Volkswagen California

Volkswagen LT

Volkswagen Crafter

Volkswagen Type 2 ("VW Bus")

Alternative propulsion

Since light trucks are often operated in city traffic, hybrid electric models are very useful:

Dual-Drive Sprinter - Mercedes Van equipped with hybrid drive systems

Electric 35-50 q

Micro-Vett Hybrid Daily

Smith Electric Vehicles Edison Van

Modec Van

Wheelchair accessible

Some vans can be converted into wheelchair accessible vans for mobility impaired people:

Wheelchair Van Information

The following vehicles may be used in yards or in historic city centres:

Graf Carello Transporter

Aixam Mega

Alke' ATX

Tasso Domino

See also

Cutaway van chassis

Public light bus

Ambulance

Campervan

Conversion van

Minivan

Panel van

Sedan Delivery

References

Category:Car body styles Category:Car classifications Category:light-duty road vehicles