Newport-based building maintenance specialist Whitehead Building Services has taken delivery of 33 new Mercedes-Benz Citan vans to replace a previous mixed fleet of leased vans.

The decision to consolidate its fleet arrangements came as the business continued to expand. Following a tender process and a week-long trial of a Citan, the choice was not difficult, according to Managed Services Manager Gavin Thomas:

“We trialled the Citan for a week, and were able to get a good feel for it. It ticked all the boxes in terms of driver comfort – a vast improvement on our previous vehicles – space, payload and fuel-efficiency.”

The vehicles, all fuel-efficient 109 CDI models, were supplied by South Wales Dealer Euro Commercials and are the subject of contract hire agreements. Most are Long-bodied versions although the line-up also includes seven Compacts and a couple of Extra-longs.

Whitehead Building Services has assigned its Long and Extra-long Citans, some of which are crew vans with second rows of seats, to maintenance staff working nationwide.

“The feedback from those using our new vans has been entirely positive,” confirmed Mr Thomas. “As a business, we also appreciate the fact that the Citan is a good-looking vehicle and Mercedes-Benz a high-end brand whose reputation for quality can only enhance our own image.”

The Citan is still a relatively unusual sight in my neck of the woods, but it does appear to be making good headway in the small van sector. It faces heavy competition from the entrenched might of the Citroen Berlingo and Ford Transit Connect, both of which are worth competitors with long-established reputations.