I’ve written about Citroën and other manufacturers‘ van conversion ranges a number of times over recent years.

Being able to order a van — such as a luton or tipper — and take delivery of it from your local dealer means that small businesses can avoid the hassle of arranging third-party conversions and don’t have to worry about new EU type approval requirements.

However, there’s still that pesky lead time — the van has to be built, and then converted (usually by a third party contracted to the manufacturer) before the customer can take delivery.

It’s not exactly like buying from stock.

Citroën is well aware of SMEs’ need for timely availability and is taking steps to increase the stock of ready-built conversions across its UK dealer network by investing £2.4m in a further 100 ready-bodied Relay vans.

These models will join the new LCV stock already held across the unique Citroën Business Centre network from September onwards, and will include:

• 40 x New Relay 35 L2 HDi 130 6-speed manual Tipmaster-bodied Tippers @ £23,735 + VAT & delivery
• 30 x New Relay 35 L3 HDi 130 6-speed manual Ingimex-bodied Dropside trucks@£22,440 + VAT & delivery
• 30 x New Relay 35 L3 HDi 130 6-speed manual Buckstone-bodied Luton vans @ £24,970 + VAT & delivery

All of these ready-bodied Relay models are covered by Citroën’s 2 year/unlimited mileage or 3 year/100,000 mile factory warranty for both the chassis and the conversion bodywork — another bonus of manufacturer-backed conversions.