If you’ve ever walked into a showroom and felt like you were speaking to a robot in a cheap suit, we have some good news for you. At Trucksmith, we don’t just sell vehicle conversions; we solve logistical puzzles with a smile. Our sales team is often hailed by customers as providing the best service in the business, and frankly, it’s not hard to see why.

The Power Trio

First up is Simon, our resident fleet maestro. If you need a massive order of our signature LoLoader® vans, a highly complex bespoke build that defies the laws of physics, or a bridge to the major manufacturers, Simon is your man. He handles manufacturer relationships with the finesse of a diplomat and fleet logistics with the precision of a Swiss watch.

Then there’s Peter, the king of retail and small-fleet LoLoader® sales. Whether you’re a local business owner looking for your first “proper” van or a growing company adding five more to the ranks, Peter ensures the process is smoother than the aerodynamics on our bodies. He’s the guy who remembers your name, your business goals, and exactly why you need that extra bit of internal height.

Rounding out the team is Zain, our Target champion. Zain is the go-to expert for Tipper and Dropside sales, serving both fleet and retail customers. If your work involves moving aggregate, landscaping, or heavy-duty hauling, Zain knows exactly how to spec a vehicle that won’t let you down when the terrain gets tough.

Why Trucksmith?

People don’t just come to us for the lightweight materials or the industry-leading payloads (though those help). They come because this trio treats every build like it’s their own. From the first “What if?” to the final handover, the communication is clear, the advice is honest, and the coffee isn’t half bad either.

In a world of automated “no” and “out of stock,” Simon, Peter, and Zain are here to say “yes” to your business’s potential. Come and see why the best in the business choose Trucksmith.

Let’s be honest: transitioning a fleet to electric can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube while wearing oven mitts. There’s the range anxiety, the “where on earth do I charge this?” panic, and the mountain of receipts that makes every month-end feel like a tax audit.

Enter Octopus Fleet. Think of them as the Swiss Army Knife of electrification—if that knife also saved you a fortune and made your life significantly quieter.

So, what’s the big deal?

Octopus Fleet isn’t just about sticking a plug in a van. It’s a “one-stop shop” that bundles everything from the vehicles themselves to the clever tech that keeps them moving. Here is how they are changing the game for Trucksmith customers:

The “Electroverse” Access: Your drivers get a single card that unlocks over 1.3 million charge points across the UK and Europe. No more juggling fifteen different apps just to get home.

Faff-Free Home Charging: This is the clever bit. With their Home Charging Reimbursement scheme, drivers plug in at home, tell the app it’s for work, and Octopus automatically credits their personal energy bill. No more manual expense claims. No more “I’m not paying to charge the company van.”

Plunge Pricing: Imagine if petrol stations dropped their prices by 50% just because it was windy outside. With Octopus, when green energy is flooding the grid, charging prices “plunge,” saving your business serious cash.

Why this matters for your Trucksmith build

At Trucksmith, we build the best lightweight, high-payload conversions in the business. But a world-class van is only as good as the infrastructure behind it. By pairing a Trucksmith conversion with Octopus Fleet’s management tools, you’re not just buying a vehicle; you’re buying a seamless, future-proofed business model.

Less admin, lower running costs, and a fleet that’s ready for the 2030 roadmap? That’s a “Foton finish” we can all get behind.

Ready to electrify without the headache? Check out Octopus Fleet and see how we can help you build the perfect EV lineup.

The Trucksmith sales team headed to the NEC Birmingham yesterday for the 2026 Commercial Vehicle Show, and what a productive day it was! As the UK’s premier event for the road transport and logistics industry, the energy in the halls was palpable, and we were thrilled to be right in the thick of it.

Reconnecting with the Community

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the opportunity to catch up with our customers. There’s no substitute for face-to-face conversation, and hearing about your recent successes and upcoming challenges helps us ensure that Trucksmith continues to deliver the highest quality vehicle conversions.

We also spent a significant portion of the day meeting with our suppliers and manufacturing partners. From the latest in lightweight materials to advanced security systems, seeing the next generation of components first-hand allows us to keep our builds at the cutting edge of the industry.

Exploring the Future of Transport

The show was a fantastic showcase of where our industry is headed. We explored the new Future Fleet Lab and the Decarbonisation Theatre, gaining valuable insights into the rapid shift toward electrification and sustainable logistics. Seeing the latest electric LCVs and AI-driven fleet tech confirms that the future of trucking is not just greener, but smarter.

A Great Day All Around

Beyond the business, it was simply a great day to be part of the commercial vehicle community. The level of innovation on display was inspiring, and the sense of collaboration across the industry is stronger than ever.

We’ve come away from the NEC with a notebook full of ideas, several new partnerships in the works, and a renewed passion for building the best commercial vehicles on the road.

Did you make it to the show? We’d love to hear what caught your eye! Get in touch with the sales team today to discuss how we can integrate the latest industry trends into your next fleet addition.

The Dragon Rises: Is Your Fleet Ready for a Foton Finish?

Move over, traditional titans—there’s a new player in town, and it’s bringing a whole lot of electric energy. The news is out: Chinese LCV powerhouse Foton has officially landed on UK shores, aiming to give the electric van market a serious shake-up.

If you haven’t heard the name yet, you will. Foton isn’t just “another” manufacturer; they are a global heavy hitter backed by the BAIC Group. Think of them as the guest who arrives late to the party but brings the best snacks—in this case, the snacks are high-performance, purpose-built electric chassis.

Why Should Trucksmith Fans Care?

You know we’re suckers for a good chassis. Whether it’s our “Loloader legends” or our new LeccyLoader, the foundation is everything. Foton’s entry into the UK with models like the eAumark and eView represents more than just more choice—it represents a shift in how we think about urban logistics.

With impressive ranges, rapid charging, and—crucially—chassis designs that are practically begging for a bespoke Trucksmith conversion, Foton is effectively putting a “Keep Off the Grass” sign on the petrol pumps.

The Best of Both Worlds

At Trucksmith, we’ve spent decades perfecting the art of the low-floor conversion. We take a great base and make it a legendary workhorse. As the UK market moves toward a 2030 (ish) electric reality, seeing a global leader like Foton invest in RHD (Right-Hand Drive) infrastructure here is music to our ears.

Will we see a Trucksmith-Foton collaboration on the road soon? Let’s just say we’re always looking for the next best thing to put our name on. In the meantime, keep an eye on these Chinese newcomers—they aren’t just here to take part; they’re here to take over.

Ready to electrify your fleet? Whether it’s a Foton, a Renault, or a Vauxhall, we’ll make sure it carries more, lasts longer, and looks better doing it. 🚛⚡

At Trucksmith, we don’t just manufacture industry-leading vehicles; we cultivate the talent that builds them. While we are proud of our heritage as “Loloader legends,” we are equally committed to our future. That future is powered by our apprenticeship program—a cornerstone of our business that spans every single department.

More Than Just the Factory Floor

When people think of apprenticeships in coachbuilding, they often picture a young person with a welding torch or a wrench. While our technical and engineering apprentices are vital—learning the precision skills required to assemble our bespoke low-loading chassis—they are only one part of the story.

At Trucksmith, we believe in a 360-degree approach to talent. That is why you will find apprentices contributing their energy and fresh perspectives across the entire company:

• Design & Engineering: Working with CAD software to refine the aerodynamics of the next generation of Loloaders.

• Administration & Finance: Ensuring the gears of the business turn smoothly behind the scenes.

• Sales & Marketing: Learning how to communicate the Trucksmith value proposition to a global market.

• Parts & Procurement: Managing the complex supply chain that keeps our production lines moving.

Why This Matters

For us, apprenticeships aren’t just about “filling roles.” They are about succession and innovation. By bringing in individuals at the start of their careers, we pair the seasoned wisdom of our veteran coachbuilders with the digital fluency and “what if?” attitude of a new generation.

Our apprentices earn while they learn, gaining nationally recognized qualifications and a career path with a company that values longevity. For Trucksmith, it ensures that the craftsmanship we’ve been known for since our “jobbing” days is never lost—only improved upon.

We aren’t just building vans; we’re building careers. And if you walk through any department at Trucksmith today, you’ll see that the future of British manufacturing is in very capable hands.

The latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has sent a clear signal to the UK automotive industry: while the desire for decarbonisation remains strong, the practical transition for light commercial vehicles (LCVs) is hitting a significant speed bump.

A Challenging March for Electric Vans

Despite March traditionally being a “bonanza” month due to number plate changes, registrations for battery electric vans (BEVs) fell by 15.9%, with only 3,543 units hitting the road. This drop resulted in a market share of just 7.1%—the lowest point the sector has seen since September 2024.

While electric demand grew by a modest 4.3% across the first quarter of 2026, the current market share of 9% sits uncomfortably far from the government’s 24% mandate target for the year. Meanwhile, diesel models continue to be the workhorse of the UK, accounting for over 85% of all new LCV registrations.

Why the Hesitation?

Fleet operators are not turning away from green energy because of a lack of will, but rather a lack of infrastructure and fiscal viability. High upfront costs and a public charging network that still struggles to accommodate larger LCVs remain the primary barriers.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, warned that this contraction in fleet renewal—now seen in 14 of the last 16 months—reflects a dip in overall business confidence.

The Trucksmith Perspective

At Trucksmith, we believe that while the macro-stats show a slowdown, the solution lies in smarter engineering. Our LeccyLoader is designed specifically to mitigate these industry “headaches.” By using ultra-lightweight HexLite materials, we ensure that the transition to electric doesn’t mean sacrificing the payload that diesel users are so reluctant to give up.

Government measures like the extension of the plug-in van grant to 2027 are welcome, but as the SMMT suggests, a “holistic review” of the transition is needed to bridge the gap between mandate and reality.