New Citroen Relay Van wins two AMPM awards in Ireland.

The New Citroën Relay van has scooped two accolades in the inaugural Association of Professional Motoring Press (APMP), Van of the Year Awards 2015 in Ireland. Winning alongside sister vehicles, Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato, Citroën’s recently launched New Relay range was voted APMP Panel Van of the Year 2015 and took the top award in the LCV sector by winning the overall APMP Van of the Year 2015 prize.

The APMP has amongst its ranks several experienced commercial vehicle journalists, including the current International Van of the Year Chairperson, Jarlath Sweeney, who noted that the New Relay was a “major evolution” for the model. Gerry Murphy commented that the “functional improvements are impressive” and Paul White described the New Relay as “very easy to drive”, with a “strong list of options and safety equipment”. Cathal Doyle commented that it was “the most refined offering yet.”

Speaking about the awards, Frédéric Soulier, Managing Director of Citroën Motors Ireland, said; “Citroën is delighted to win two of the debut APMP awards – including the top LCV accolade. This APMP Van of the Year Award 2015 is a vote in confidence for the New Relay and will no doubt boost our performance in the Irish market.”

Ford sweeps the board at VansA2Z awards

Ford’s market-leading commercial vehicle range has scooped six major trophies at the 2014 VansA2Z Awards, including the overall Van of the Year title with the all-new Transit.

The all-new Ford Transit was crowned Van of the Year and claimed victory in the Large Panel Van of the Year category, while the all-new Ford Transit Custom secured Diesel Eco Van of the Year and, for the second year running, the Small Panel Van of the Year title. Ford’s all-new Transit Connect – International Van of the Year 2014 – was voted Light Van of the Year and the Ford Fiesta Van claimed Small Van of the Year for the second consecutive year.

This record number of awards for Ford eclipses last year’s five-medal haul and a hat-trick of accolades the year before that. It is a result of Ford’s significant global investment into the all-new four-vehicle Transit family – introduced to UK customers in just 18 months.

David Gregory, chief programme engineer, Ford global commercial vehicles, said: “Ford has invested heavily into its all-new commercial vehicle range, resulting in modern aesthetics, innovative design features and the latest in high-tech, low-CO₂ powertrains. Credit for these latest accolades must go to the many Ford designers, engineers and vehicle testing staff who have worked tirelessly to deliver such revolutionary products.”

The majority of the design and engineering work on the new Ford commercial vehicle range was conducted at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre, Essex – the global centre of excellence for the company’s commercial vehicles and powertrain development.

Neil McIntee, VansA2Z editor, said: “We’re delighted to award the all-new Transit Best Large Panel Van and the overall Van of the Year title. Ford has continued to raise the bar in the commercial vehicle market, with the introduction of Transit Custom, Transit Connect and new Transit – all of which boast dynamic looks, are superb to drive, and loaded with practical Ford technology and functional design features. At the moment, the Ford range is untouchable.”

Ford has almost completed the transformation of its entire commercial vehicle range, introducing four new models – Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom and next generation Transit – by the summer of 2014.