Citroen wins PV and LT 2008 awards

Citroen and its Southampton dealer Freeborn Garages Ltd were both gold award winners at the prestigious Professional Van and Light Truck (PV and LT) awards ceremony held at the Commercial Vehicle Show (NEC, April 15-17). The Relay panel van was crowned as PV and LT’s Medium Panel Van (6.5 – 10.0cu.m) of the Year and Freeborn Garages scooped the PV and LT Van Dealer of the Year award.

The Citroen Relay beat off all the competition in a hotly contested sector to win the PV and LT award, which is recognised for its wide range of demanding criteria, with an independent judging panel including both small and large fleet operators. John Fife, PV and LT editor, comments, “A combination of excellent design and premium levels of standard equipment, including unique features, such as Trafficmaster Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking system, saw the Citroen Relay stand out in the hotly contested Medium Panel Van sector.”

PV and LT’s Van Dealer of the Year Award was introduced this year to reflect van operator’s requirements for premium levels of sales and aftersales dealer support. The Award process involved an intensive programme of telephone and anonymous visits by PV and LT representatives to assess every aspect of a van dealer’s sales and aftersales capability. PV and LT’s editor, comments, “Freeborn Garages won our first Van Dealer of the Year Award, thanks to its stunning combination sales and service excellence, demonstrating the level of competence and professionalism that today’s van operators both demand and deserve.”

Robert Handyside, Citroen’s commercial vehicle operations manager, remarks, “We are delighted that the PV and LT 2008 Awards recognise both the excellence of the Citroen commercial vehicle range and the dedication and sheer professionalism of Freeborn Garages, one of Citroen’s largest and longest-established privately owned dealers. With the depth and quality of its product and the quality of its dealers it is no coincidence that Citroen has just had its best-ever first quarter commercial vehicle sales results and become the UK’s third largest supplier of light commercial vehicles.”