Tower Security’s new Mercedes-Benz Citan (plus a man trying to get through a locked door)
The Mercedes-Benz Citan is winning buyers thanks to its expected combination of two classic Merc virtues; high-mileage reliability and premium economy and performance.
Miles Hill, who is Managing Director of Essex-based Tower Security, needed a new van to operate roving security controls to clients’ premises and homes. The van will operate 24 hours a day and is expected to cover 100,000 miles a year, and faced with this demanding usage cycle, some competitors came up short, as Hill explains:
“We were on the verge of buying another make of van which was a bit cheaper ‘up front’ – until I asked for a price to cover three years’ servicing. Because of the high mileage we cover it was hugely expensive, and the vehicle would have been out of warranty after the first year.
“By contrast,” he continues, “the Citan’s servicing costs from Colchester dealer Orwell Truck & Van were very competitive. And it came with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which says a great deal about the confidence that Mercedes-Benz has in its product.
Tower Security’s Citan is a long-bodied 109 CDI BlueEFFICENCY model that’s powered by an economical 90 hp diesel engine and equipped with a series of clever BlueEFFICIENCY measures designed to further reduce fuel consumption.
These include the ECO start/stop function – which turns off the engine whenever the vehicle is stopped in traffic, then restarts it as soon as the driver depresses the clutch – low rolling resistance tyres and optimised alternator and battery management systems. The result is a market-leading economy figure of up to 65.7 mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 112 g/km.
Mr Hill continues:
“The Citan is using a lot less fuel than our other vans and represents a huge step forward for us in terms of quality. Mercedes-Benz also has a great brand image and our new van looks a lot more professional when we’re visiting clients’ premises.”
“The manufacturer’s warranty was worth the purchase price premium on its own. But once we’d also factored in the Citan’s servicing costs and fuel efficiency it really was an easy decision – our new Mercedes-Benz will save us a fortune in the long run.”
Tower Security offers a fully manned and comprehensive service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and includes everything from key holding to static guards, dog handlers, and event security.