Three vans win Semperit IVOTY 2003
25 November 2002: The Semperit Irish Van of the Year 2003 was won jointly by the Citroen Relay (above), and (below) Fiat Ducato and Peugeot Boxer vans.
The vehicles are a joint venture production by the three companies, are were considered as one entrant by the Irish Motoring Writers Association, whose members vote on the awards.
Value for money, reliability, versatility and lasting residual value were
among the attributes sought by the judging panel.
The vans were given 22 points against the 13 points for the Ford Focus Van, the Opel Combo (10), and the Nissan Interstar (8).
The award was accepted by Paul Gregan of Gallic Distributors (Citroen), Michael Howe of Fiat Auto Ireland (Fiat), and David McConnell of Gowan Distributors (Peugeot).
It was presented by Brian Smith of Semperit Ireland, in the presence of Transport Minister Seamus Brennan TD.
Mr Smith said the three vehicles are set to ‘make a big impact’ on the commercial market. “The endorsement of the ‘Semperit Irish Van of the Year’ will no doubt help,” he added.
The Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay are powered by 2-, 2.2- and 2.8-litre HDi turbodiesel engines, while the Fiat has a 2.3-litre option instead of the 2.2. The Peugeot vehicle has a starting price of 18,995 euros, while the Citroen kicks off at 20,500 euros. The Fiat Ducato comes in from 19,602 euros, and has no less than 17 versions on offer.
Each brand in the industrial partnership - signed in 1978 and also responsible for common development of MPVs in the range of the three makers - offers a variety of van lengths and heights, with a payload potential typically between 1.1 tonne and 1.8 tonnes.