Launched two years ago the new Maxus led the market for a while, only to be overtaken by new launches from competitors in the past 12 months. Now under new Russian ownership it appears strong enough to begin fighting for market share.

It's exceptionally good value. Load area is vast and it's equally at home on the motorway or on multi-drops in town. Chassis-cab variants will be welcome.

At less than £6,500, the Proton Jumbuck is probably Britain's cheapest four-wheeled CV. Its origins arte Malaysian via Norfolk, as Proton also owns Lotus. It boasts Lotus input in its development but the steering and handling came in for the worst criticism when we drove it.

Two of the handicaps it faces in the marketplace are the lack of a diesel engine and four-wheel-drive. Despite the latter, the former means it probably uses 50% more fuel than a decent oil-burner could achieve. It's not all negative, though, as its car origins provide a reasonably comfortable environment, although the base model provides the last refuge of the vinyl seat. Looked at as a cheap motorised wheel-barrow, it begins to make sense.