Citroen promises a picku
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• by Peter Lawton
Another pickup is soon to be added to Citroen's range of dealer-ordered vehicles as part of a drive to capture more of the conversion market.
Citroen wants more of the specialist vehicle market which it puts at around 40,000 vehicles a year, or 20% of the sector, saying its vehicles are ripe for conversion and are selling better than ever.
The Berlingo Multiwagon, built by Transit Flareside designer Walker Special Vehicles, joins a range of Citroen conversions. With a payload of around 600kg the pickup won't qualify for a VAT rebate but offers plenty of room for up to five passengers.
Other converted Citroens at a recent press launch included an innovative meals-on-wheels van designed by Island Plastics for Hammersmith and Fulham Council which has now ordered 10 examples.
Based on the Berlingo Electrique, the vans have hatches on either side and a food heating system running off a small diesel tank which is accessible from the rear.
The council wanted a dualpurpose vehicle: when it is not delivering food the Berlingo is converted into a general-purpose van by folding floor panels.
A refrigerated version of the Relay built by Somers was also on display with an inte grated GAR Rapier above the cab. Stuart Shreeve of Somers says because air is directed, the fridge unit is able to operate more effectively, reducing fuel consumption by up to 3%.
The design can be set up for configurations including multitemperature operations. Somers predicts a 40% growth in sales (currently running at 400 units a year) and says the Dispatch is its best seeing model.
Citroen specialist Fame Commercial Vehicles of Colchester displayed an example of its well established chassisless "geodetic" (spaceframe) constructed box vans. They are available from 4-6m long and 22.5m wide and feature large volumes with loading heights as low as 350mm thanks to torsion bar suspension fated by Fame. The company has also been building recycling bodies based on the Relay with separate stillages for collection by local authorities.
• All of the conversions offered through the Citroen dealer network carry the same two-year unlimited distance warranty as the vehicles they are based on.