Fuel efficiency was the deal closer for the city of Nottingham in the UK, which just purchased over 300 Citroën Dispatch and Relay LCVs. The new fleet vehicles have HDi diesel engines which are certified to use biodiesel blends up to 30 percent. Nottingham City Homes' procurement & operational support manager, Peter Smith, said in a statement (pasted after the jump) that, "thanks to Citroën's clean, fuel efficient HDi diesel engines ... these vehicles are best equipped to play a key role in an on-going programme to reduce our carbon footprint."
The LCVs also have Citroën's "Fleet Director" system, which will allow a central office to dispatch the van that is closest to the job site, saving fuel by reducing the number of miles traveled. Most of Nottingham's new work vehicles are Relay 35 L3H2 120hp panel vans, but the city also took delivery of some "Relay Luton vans, tippers and dropside trucks, as well as more than 100 Dispatch L1H1 panel vans."
[Source: Citroën]
PRESS RELEASE:
EFFICIENT GREEN TECHNOLOGY WINS NOTTINGHAM CITY HOMES' 300+ CITROËN ORDER
Nottingham City Homes is now taking delivery of more than 300 Citroën Dispatch and Relay LCVs, replacing its entire existing mixed vehicle fleet. This significant order has been gained by Citroën dealer Springfield Motor Group, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and specialist vehicle finance company Grosvenor Contracts Leasing Ltd.
The majority of the Citroën vehicles being supplied as part of Nottingham City Homes' fleet replacement programme are Relay 35 L3H2 120hp panel vans. The order also includes a number of specialist conversions such as Relay Luton vans, tippers and dropside trucks, as well as more than 100 Dispatch L1H1 panel vans.
Peter Smith, Nottingham City Homes' procurement & operational support manager, explains, "Our major fleet replacement order was put out to European tender. The tender set out stringent cost and environmental requirements. The Citroën LCV package proposed by Springfield Motor Group and Grosvenor Contracts Leasing met our financial and operational requirements. And, thanks to Citroën's clean, fuel efficient HDi diesel engines and advanced Trafficmaster satellite navigation systems with tracking technology, these vehicles are best equipped to play a key role in an on-going programme to reduce our carbon footprint."
As part of the turn-key requirement of the Nottingham City Homes deal, Springfield Motor Group is supplying the Citroën LCVs ready to work, fully liveried, complete with racking and other specialist equipment, as required. All vehicles have Citroën's Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking package fitted as standard. In addition, Nottingham City Homes has optionally specified Trafficmaster Fleet Director, an advanced fleet management package, which is fully integrated with Smartnav, significantly improving efficiency of the fleet.
Peter Smith comments, "Fleet Director will help us support our operation. It will give us the ability to locate the van and tradesman nearest to the next job or enable us to support new employees by transferring routes and confirming attendance at jobs. The system also incorporates an 'emergency button' allowing the driver to summon assistance in the event of an incident."
Nottingham City Homes is operating its Citroëns on five-year, 55,000-mile full maintenance Grosvenor Contracts Leasing contract hire agreements. As part of the maintenance agreement Jim Steel Garages, a company local to Nottingham City Homes, has been awarded the contract for the maintenance of the new Citroën fleet for the next five years. Further supporting this commitment, new garage premises are also being opened less than a mile from Nottingham City Homes' operational base, which will provide employment for local people.
During their service with Nottingham City Homes, the Relay and Dispatch LCVs will be allocated to skilled trades people involved in the routine maintenance, refurbishment and renewal operations of 29,000 residences.
As part of its emissions reduction programme Nottingham City Homes is examining the possibility of running its new Citroën LCVs on up to 30% bio diesel. All HDi diesel engines used in Citroën's LCV range are able to run on up to 30% bio diesel, without any technical modifications.
Robert Handyside, Citroën's commercial vehicle operations manager, remarks, "Citroën is at the forefront offering a unique, cost effective and green efficient, light commercial vehicle proposition. The combination of this and the standard fitment of Trafficmaster Smartnav, with the option of Fleet Director, now enables professional fleet operators to achieve real efficiency gains, cost savings and significant environmental gains."
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