Citroen Nemo/Relay Enterprise

UK van sales were down 35% last year – and sales are only rising slowly so far this year.

So what can a poor manufacturer do to increase business?

In the case of Citroën, launch a series of new model variants with added spec and a lower prices to try and tempt those buyers who still have cash to part with it at Citroën dealerships.

The Enterprise moniker is available on Nemo, Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay.

All benefit, as standard, from air-conditioning, Bluetooth for improved communications and reverse parking sensors for improved safety.

In addition, Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay Enterprise models now feature USB connectivity for iPods, and Dispatch Enterprise models also include full steel bulkheads, electrically adjustable heated and folding twin-lens door mirrors and front foglights.

The Relay Enterprise is additionally equipped with a full steel bulkhead.

Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation with Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking is also standard on Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay Enterprise.

The Enterprise vans provide their extra benefits for up to £560 less than the equivalent models optionally equipped to the same standard.

So can these lower price models cut the fleet mustard on the roads?

We tried a couple of them out for size.

Nemo Enterprise

Jump into a Citroën Nemo for the first time and the chances are you’ll fall in love instantly with this cheeky little van’s sassy looks, its fun handling and its massive loadspace for such a petite vehicle.

The Nemo – and its twin brothers the Peugeot Bipper and Fiat Fiorino – created a new sector when they were launched last year.

This van is built especially to winkle into small city streets yet will carry 2.5 cubic metres of cargo and loads up to 2.5 metres in length with a special passenger seat folded down.

Add to that a fuel economy figure of more than 60mpg and a CO2 emissions figure of just 119g/km and you have a pretty powerful fleet package.

The Nemo Enterprise is well-endowed with goodies.

Standard are ABS brakes, central locking, electric front windows and electric heated mirrors, a nearside load door, air conditioning, reversing sensors and Bluetooth connectivity.

It’s a shame we don’t get any mention of electronic stability control and there’s no passenger airbag either.

Apart from that, I can’t imagine a better place to spend a day than behind the wheel of this chirpy chappy.