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White van men contribute over £35 billion to UK economy
26 Jun 2007
Leering drivers, dirty vans and bad driving…for ten years white van men have been victims of jokes and social stereotypes, ever since the term was coined by Sarah Kennedy.
However, a new study today dispels the clichés and reveals that van drivers owned by small businesses are diligent and hard working with average yearly earnings of £21,000. They therefore contribute over £35 billion annually to the UK economy and have an estimated turnover of £215 billion per year.
AA Insurance’s Van Value Study, which questioned 200 commercial van owners in the UK, reveals that over half (59 per cent) of drivers believe their van is essential to the smooth running of their business and almost a quarter (24 per cent) said that significant money (on average £362 per day) would be lost if their van was not available for a day or longer.
The study also reveals that:
Building (6 per cent) is the most common occupation
Over a third (35 per cent) of commercial van drivers are women
Commercial van contents are on average worth £1,382
White is the colour of choice for a third (32 per cent) of van owners
Over one in 20 (6 per cent) have had ‘romantic liaisons’ in their van!
Builders, Bakers, Candlestick Makers
Whilst building (6 per cent) and courier services (6 per cent) are the most common professions, more unusual occupations include archery instructors, candle makers, dog walkers, baby activity class organisers and even shepherds!
The Top Five Van Professions are:
1. Builder
2. Delivery Courier/Driver
3. Shopkeeper
4. Electrician
5. Handyman
Van Down-Time
Work’s one thing – UK van drivers like to involve their vehicle out of hours as well, with over one in ten (13 per cent) even saying they prefer their van to their car. Whilst many use it day to day for shopping (56 per cent), moving house (34 per cent) and good causes (28 per cent), others are more adventurous; almost a quarter (24 per cent) take their van on road trips and over one in twenty admit to having ‘romantic liaisons’ in their vehicle.
White, Red and Blue
Whilst a third (32 per cent) of van drivers opt for their true white colours, blue (22 per cent) and silver (20 per cent) are also popular choices. More unusual colours include pink, purple and mustard.
The Top Five Van Colours are:
1. White
2. Blue
3. Silver
4. Green
5. Red
Rhiannon Parker, head of van insurance at AA Insurance, says “Love them or hate them, vans are a big part of our culture and contribute enormously to the UK economy. Whether they’re sparkies or plumbers, drivers face significant loss of earnings if their van’s out of service, so it’s essential to ensure they’re properly covered when the worst happens.”
However, a new study today dispels the clichés and reveals that van drivers owned by small businesses are diligent and hard working with average yearly earnings of £21,000. They therefore contribute over £35 billion annually to the UK economy and have an estimated turnover of £215 billion per year.
AA Insurance’s Van Value Study, which questioned 200 commercial van owners in the UK, reveals that over half (59 per cent) of drivers believe their van is essential to the smooth running of their business and almost a quarter (24 per cent) said that significant money (on average £362 per day) would be lost if their van was not available for a day or longer.
The study also reveals that:
Building (6 per cent) is the most common occupation
Over a third (35 per cent) of commercial van drivers are women
Commercial van contents are on average worth £1,382
White is the colour of choice for a third (32 per cent) of van owners
Over one in 20 (6 per cent) have had ‘romantic liaisons’ in their van!
Builders, Bakers, Candlestick Makers
Whilst building (6 per cent) and courier services (6 per cent) are the most common professions, more unusual occupations include archery instructors, candle makers, dog walkers, baby activity class organisers and even shepherds!
The Top Five Van Professions are:
1. Builder
2. Delivery Courier/Driver
3. Shopkeeper
4. Electrician
5. Handyman
Van Down-Time
Work’s one thing – UK van drivers like to involve their vehicle out of hours as well, with over one in ten (13 per cent) even saying they prefer their van to their car. Whilst many use it day to day for shopping (56 per cent), moving house (34 per cent) and good causes (28 per cent), others are more adventurous; almost a quarter (24 per cent) take their van on road trips and over one in twenty admit to having ‘romantic liaisons’ in their vehicle.
White, Red and Blue
Whilst a third (32 per cent) of van drivers opt for their true white colours, blue (22 per cent) and silver (20 per cent) are also popular choices. More unusual colours include pink, purple and mustard.
The Top Five Van Colours are:
1. White
2. Blue
3. Silver
4. Green
5. Red
Rhiannon Parker, head of van insurance at AA Insurance, says “Love them or hate them, vans are a big part of our culture and contribute enormously to the UK economy. Whether they’re sparkies or plumbers, drivers face significant loss of earnings if their van’s out of service, so it’s essential to ensure they’re properly covered when the worst happens.”
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