Nissan NV200 is Van of the Year 2010

A winning combination of value and versatility has made Nissan’s NV200 unbeatable in the eyes of the Institute of Transport Management (ITM). Crowning the new model as the Van of the Year 2010, the ITM has confirmed that there is simply no other LCV to beat the NV200.

And it’s easy to see why judges were so taken with the recently launched model. Many small family cars will struggle to match the Nissan’s thrifty fuel economy and CO2 emissions, and it’s clear the NV200 has broken the mould in the small van sector, combining the attributes of a conventional commercial vehicle and a traditional people carrier.

Offering space, comfort and a high level of functionality, the NV200 seats up to seven people while retaining significant storage capacity and comfort for passengers. With innovative folding seat systems, the Nissan offers huge versatility and rivals the practicality offered by both commercial vehicle and MPV rivals.

But don’t think for a second that this is a Nissan that doesn’t look after the driver too. Comfort and convenience will meet the expectations of van and car owners alike, while the option of a rear view parking camera adds convenience and safety to the NV200 package.

Thanks to its ultra-frugal 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine the thrifty van manages 54mpg while emitting only 137g/km of CO2, helping to reduce its impact on both the environment and fuel bills.

Commenting on the Award, ITM Media and PR Director Mr. Patrick Sheedy said: “With the NV200, Nissan is really opening up a new niche in the market, a crossover between commercial and passenger vehicles which will challenge the grip of the MPV on the vehicle market for working families. It’s perfectly pitched – spacious inside yet compact enough to retain a good level of agility in an urban environment; sleekly styled with a comfortable interior; and – most importantly for those on a tight household budget –cost-effective. Looking at the specifications of this vehicle and the offerings currently on the market, we at the Institute are confident that the NV200 is set to make a big impact.

“It is my pleasure, therefore, to announce the accreditation of Nissan’s NV200 with the ‘Van of the Year Award 2010’. Congratulations to everyone at Nissan who contributed to the design, production and marketing of this vehicle. I look forward to witnessing its success in the market over the coming year.”

The first Nissan LCV in seven years to be designed, engineered and manufactured in house, the NV200 displays the forward thinking approach to quality engineering which is at the core of all new Nissan models. Nissan’s LCV sales and marketing director, Francis Bleasdale comments: “We’re delighted with such a high-level endorsement for what we know is a truly ground-breaking entry into the LCV market. This sets the scene for a very successful 2010 for the NV200.”