The NRMA report shows that the half-tonne Combo costs less than 38 cents a kilometre - or $145.73 a week - to own and operate.

The study found Combo to be much more cost-efficient than three rival one-tonne vans - 32 per cent cheaper than the Mitsubishi SJ Walk Thru Automatic, 30 per cent cheaper than the Toyota Hi Ace manual, and 18 per cent cheaper than the Ford Econovan.

The study found the Walk Thru costs 56.22c/km or $216.23/week to own and operate, the Hi Ace 54.48c/km ($209.55/week), and the Econovan 46.34c/km ($178.27/week).

The NRMA research was based on five-year ownership and travelling 20,000km a year. It included depreciation, interest, registration and insurance, NRMA membership, fuel, tyres and maintenance.

Holden's Marketing Manager for Small and Medium Cars, Megan Stooke, said the NRMA report proved that Combo - priced at around $17,500 - was the ideal light commercial van for small business operators and fleet owners.

"Looking, for instance, at the Combo and the Mitsubishi Walk Thru, the advantage in total operating costs is around $70 a week - or $3,666 a year, and $18,330 over five years," she said. "They're savings that small business operators can use to invest in other ways."

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The "Desert Boot" Combo

Best foot forward with Combo ... Cairns shoe repairers, Hungerfords, have had their new Holden Combo painted like a desert boot. Its become a talking point in the tropical paradise and proprietors, Barry and Sue Hungerford, report that the "Desert Boot" is helping them kick goals in business.

"It's roomy, it looks great and it's very economical", says Barry Hungerford. Cairns also boasts a Combo "Candy Van", operated by confectionery wholesaler Amber Agencies, and the "Prawnmobile", used by Dawn Developments to transport food and other supplies to the local fishing fleet.