WHAT VAN ? - The New Citroen Dispatch takes it's first two UK awards at the Van of the year ceremony.

New Citroën Dispatch has just picked up its first UK accolades since it was launched earlier this year.

The new mid-size panel van was named joint winner of both the overall Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year prize and the Medium Van of the Year trophy at the 2017 What Van? Awards. 

The honours were presented at the prestigious What Van? Awards luncheon in London earlier today.

What Van?’s panel of experienced judges considered the model to be “an outstanding new van that has come to the market this year”, adding that the New Dispatch “breaks new ground in the largest and most important sector of the market.”

James Dallas, Editor of WhatVan?, commented; “The Citroën Dispatch represents a big step up compared with its predecessor in terms of quality, refinement and practicality. It should propel the brand to the forefront of what is a very competitive market sector. The new Dispatch brings useful innovations to the market and it now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best medium vans on offer.”

The What Van? Awards are voted for by an expert panel of judges who use their combined decades of experience to decide the winners. The awards highlight the best products, companies and services in the industry, and reward those making the biggest difference to van operators and drivers across the UK.

The design of the New Citroën Dispatch was inspired by the world of passenger cars and SUVs. Its styling is fluid and practical, with the all-new modular platform allowing New Citroën Dispatch to be available in three lengths. Its practicality is illustrated by an optional hands-free function for the sliding side doors and numerous improvements in the cabin that make the life of the driver significantly easier.

Besides useful everyday functions like hands-free entry and start, New Citroën Dispatch also features technology such as Mirror Screen smartphone connectivity that brings the van right up to date.

Jeremy Smith, Citroën’s Head of Commercial Vehicles & Business Sector Operations, said; “We are delighted that the New Citroën Dispatch has been voted as the best new light commercial vehicle on the market by What Van? magazine. To gain industry recognition on such an important new product, in a highly competitive market, is very important to us. We are confident that new and existing customers will be equally impressed when they get behind the wheel to experience the new van for themselves.”

No Matter what they do, Mitsubishi manages to win everything they put their minds too.

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is celebrating today after scooping three awards at this years’ prestigious What Van? Awards further highlighting the success and appeal of the Mitsubishi line-up within a commercial environment.

What Van? is the UK’s premier title offering Light Commercial Vehicle buying and owning advice, and the awards are decided by its expert editorial panel comprising decades of experience in the industry. The awards seek to reward the best products, companies and services for the ability to make life easier, cleaner, safer and more efficient for light commercial vehicle operators in the UK.

The all-new Mitsubishi L200 Series 5 picked up the accolade for The Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year, a prize that is awarded to a new vehicle that What Van? feels has made the biggest impact in terms of quality, efficiency and improving on what is already out there in its sector. Mitsubishi’s outstanding L200 also collected the award for Pick-up of the Year and is described by What Van? as ‘simply the best vehicle in the segment’.

“The new Mitsubishi L200 takes a big leap forward across the board but particularly in the areas of interior quality, ride, refinement and, vitally for business operators’ efficiency,” said What Van? Editor Paul Barker.

“It’s a very impressive entrant into what is about to become a very competitive and crowded sector but the quality of the L200 should stand Mitsubishi on solid ground to continue the success of previous generations of pick-up.”

The Outlander PHEV commercial variant collected The Green Award, which recognises a vehicle, initiative, programme or product that is capable of improving businesses’ environmental credentials in the industry.

Paul Barker added: “The Outlander 4Work PHEV is a trail-blazing model that was a natural choice for the What Van? Green Award, combining zero emission motoring and an absence of range anxiety. This technology is currently unique in the sector but gives businesses a flexible and cost-efficient way into more environmentally friendly operation.”

Toby Marshall, Director of Sales & Marketing for the Mitsubishi brand in the UK, collected the awards today, and said:

“It’s great to receive one award but to receive three awards is fantastic. The all-new L200 Series 5 is our fifth generation of pick-up, and is renowned for its 4x4 system, manoeuvrability, toughness and reliability. The Outlander PHEV is an exciting new vehicle, at the forefront of technology. The Outlander PHEV commercial is a unique proposition and we’redelighted that it has won the ‘Green Award’ today.