Car Leasing News

Used Car Expert magazine has commented that with some Peugeot and Citroen models also sharing the same accelerator part as Toyota, and also in need of correcting, that manufacturer recalls also need to be included as part of any vehicle service history.

Magazine editor Matthew Turnbridge said,”The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VoSA) tells me that 9.36% of vehicles or components recalled last year never got repaired.  While this shocking statistic includes stolen vehicles and motors that have been scrapped or written off, what it does mean is that there’s a huge number of cars out there that haven’t had a faulty part fixed – for one reason or another, owners have not answered the recall”.  

If you ever want to check the state of play with any manufacturer recalls campagins then you can search at the VoSA site@ http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp . One of the added value benefits of having a maintained leased car is that the leasing company will usually be told by the manufacturer about any recalls and will notify you accordingly.

2010 Citroen Berlingo First

The popular Citroen Berlingo First 1.6 HDi 75hp 600kg panel van has been updated for 2010 with a significant specification boost. The van now comes with “Plus Pack” as a standard option and this adds remote control central locking, electric front windows and electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors.

In addition the 2010 Berlingo First specification model gains a near side sliding side load door as part of its standard equipment, to further improve access to the vehicle.

Charles Peugeot, head of commercial vehicles and business sector sales said,”The well proven Berlingo First continues to be a popular budget choice for van buyers. The latest Berlingo First specification upgrade will further enhance the appeal of this evergreen model”.

Justin Patterson

Justin Patterson, group fleet manager of the MITIE Group, and the Citroen Berlingo were both recent winners at the Fleet Van Awards 2009. Justin Patterson won Van Fleet Manager and Citroen won Van of the Year and Small Van of the Year.

Mr Patterson has chosen the Berlingo for the MITIE Group fleet and said,”Since the new Berlingo was launched last year,we have been buying the both Berlingo L1 and, more recently, L2 models for use by all three MITIE Group divisions.

The Berlingo is unique in its sector in that it offers more load space and thus provides us with greater operational flexibility, as well as low operating costs”.

The new Berlingo also offers low van CO2 emissions with the starting range from just 153g/km CO2.

Citroen C3 Picasso

The award winning Citroen C3 Picasso has been updated to become even more economical with an engine upgrade that sees this MPV deliver sub-120g/km Co2 emissions.

The 1.6HDi 16V 90hp diesel engine has been re-homologated and in VTR+ and Exclusive trim now emits only 119g/km and offers 62.8 on the combined mpg fuel cycle.

New Citroën C3 Picasso – CO₂ Emissions, Fuel Economy (combined cycle) & Pricing Information:
  

Citroen is adding new Enterprise versions of the Nemo, Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay to its LCV range from January 2010. The additional specification adds air-conditioning, Bluetooth and reverse parking sensors.

Citroen Nemo

In addition you also get remote central locking, electric front windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors as vehicle standard options plus most models are equipped with Trafficmaster satellite navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking.

The seven new models based on the best in each range are:

-Nemo 1.4 HDI 70hp.

-Berlingo 625 L1 HDi 75hp.

-Berlingo 625 L1 HDi 90hp.

-Dispatch 1000 L1H1 1.6 HDi 90hp.

-Dispatch 1000 L1H1 1.6 HDi 120hp.

-Relay 30 L1H1 2.2HDI 100hp.

-Relay 30 L1H1 2.2HDI 120hp.

Romahome R25 motorhome

The Citroen Berlingo is unique in that it is the only small LCV range to feature a platform cab and an enhanced traction van, along with the widest choice of specialist vehicle conversions.

The Berlingo range includes the following factory produced models;

- Berlingo L1 van in 625kg or 850kg payload configurations.

- Berlingo L2 with a 750kg paylod.

- A choice of 1.6i 90hp petrol or 75 & 90hp 1.6 HDi diesel engines.

- X, LX and new Enterprise trim levels.

- A platform cab for any specialist bodywork conversion.

- A 5-seat Crew Van.

- An XTR+ enhanced-traction van.

Citroen also offers a variety of Ready to Run Berlingo specialist conversions for example glass-carriers, temperature controlled vans, a dual-fuel (petrol/LPG) van and the Romahome R25 motorhome.

Citroen C3

Citroen is celebrating its 90 years together with the Eiffel tower, which is 120 years old. Every night for three months, from the 22nd October, a special light show lasting twelve minutes will take place.

To mark the start of this, Citroen will be streaming live footage of the event from webcams that are mounted in 10 new Citroen C3’s positioned at various points around the tower. You can also see the footage which will be broadcast on www.toureiffel.citroen.com 

Eiffel Tower

Citroen and the Eiffel Tower enjoyed a historic partnership between 1925 and 1934 when the Citroen name was emblazoned in lights on the iconic structure. It took 250,000 light bulbs and 600 kilometres of electric flex to do this. The lights were recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at the time, as the world’s largest advertising sign. Charles Lindberg also used the tower as a beacon to aim for, when coming into land following his solo flight across the Atlantic.

The new C3 has a Zenith windscreen that provides a driving experience like no other car with a hugh glass screen soaring above the heads of the occupants. We should be loading new Citroen car leasing prices shortly.

Berlingo Crew Van

Citroen has won the Institute of Transport Management’s LCV of the year award with their Berlingo Crew Van. The judges were impressed by the flexibility of this light commercial van, with its innovative sliding/folding rear seat and bulkhead. This allows the van to be either used as a five seater (1,320mm long and 2.4cu.m) or a two-seater with an 1,805mm long, 3.35cu.m load compartment. Add to this the low CO2 emissions of this van and the package represents excellent value for money. 

Crew seats

The van also comes with Trafficmaster Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking system which is unique in the LCV sector. Robert Handyside, commercial vehicle operations manager for Citroen said,”We are delighted that the Institute of Transport Management has recognised Citroen’s considerable environmental strengths and the merits of the brilliantly versatile Citroen Berlingo Crew Van with this prestigious award”.

Lorries from 1960

For British lorry enthusiasts, a nostalgic new book has been launched, by author Malcolm Bobbitt and Veloce Publishing, taking you back to the 1960’s. The book is a highly visual study of British lorries built during the 1960’s and has 120 colour and black and white images.

Malcolm Bobbitt has a well published interest in motor transport and is the author of thirty books, with subjects ranging from Bubblecars and Microcars, Motorhomes and British Police Vehicles, plus features on Citroen, Fiat, Rolls-Royce and Volkswagen.

The books costs £14.99 and is available in most UK bookshops or via www.veloce.co.uk

Road safety is important to any light commercial van operator and Citroen already offers Trafficmaster’s Smartnav satellite system in the Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay panel vans.

Under a new initiative with Trafficmaster, Citroen is now offering the Trafficmaster Fleet Director system at a subsidised rate of £19.99+ VAT per month. Fleet Director is a real-time fleet management programme that utilises Smartnav telematics to provide direct communication with drivers and to show their exact whereabouts. This is particularly of interest if a driver is working in a remote place allowing instant two-way communication.

The reporting available from Fleet Director also allows a van operator to improve road safety and help maintain their Duty of Care requirements.