CITROEN is planning an aggressive LCV sales campaign this spring in a bid to consolidate its position as third largest supplier of vans up to 3.5 tonnes in the UK. The French marque took number three position behind Ford and Vauxhall after an astonishing 22.2% rise in sales in the first quarter of 2000, a period in which all its models showed significant gains over last year.

Citroen sold 5,020 LCVs in the first quarter, with the Champ up 29.3% at 590, Berlingo up 7.8% at 2,256, Dispatch up 20.5% at 988 and Relay up 60.5% at 1,186. John Hargreaves, Citroen's commercial vehicle operations manager, said: 'We have now become one of the UK's major suppliers of lcvs. As the figures show, both large and small operators recognise the fact that Citroen has the product and aftersales resources necessary in the UK light commercial market, which is one of the world's most sophisticated.'

Now Citroen is pushing ahead - and the spearhead of its aggressive stance is the 2.0-litre HDi common rail diesel engine, which boosts power and economy, while lowering emissions. Already available in the Berlingo, the unit is now being fitted to the Dispatch. For a £250 premium over the current 1.9TD, it offers more power and torque (95bhp and 158lb/ft at 1,750rpm) while lowering CO2 emissions by 20%.