First Citroën Berlingo XTR+ Vans For British Forestry Commission

The Forestry Commission's Andy Strain takes the first of 35 Berlingos from Citroën's Richard Petherick

STIRLING, England - August 17, 2006: Citroën's first 35 Berlingo 2.0HDi 600 XTR+ enhanced traction vans are now being delivered to the Forestry Commission. The XTR+ vans are being operated by the Forestry Commission’s Mechanical Engineering Services business unit and are part of a major order for some 100 Citroën Berlingos, which also includes 2.0HDi vans in LX and Enterprise trim.

The Berlingo 2.0HDi 600 XTR+ has been specifically developed for operators who require vans with off-road capability. With the benefits of higher ground clearance and improved traction, thanks to a sophisticated limited slip differential, the new XTR+ delivers this improved off-road capability without the higher capital cost and running costs associated with four wheel drive vehicles.

Berlingo and Dispatch vans make up the bulk of the Forestry Commission’s 650-strong light van fleet. Its latest Berlingos are being supplied by Citroën Glasgow, and will be operated on five year, non-maintenance Lex Vehicle Leasing contract hire agreements.

The Berlingo 2.0HDi 600 XTR+ vans will be operated in a variety of roles, including being used by supervisors and for general duties carrying tools, lubricants, dogs and wet weather gear, with some of them also replacing a number of the Forestry Commission's 4x4 vehicles.

To suit these duties the Forestry Commission specifies a number of modifications, such as rear passenger seat conversions to carry two additional crew members. In addition most other Berlingos are specified with increased ride-height conversions and sump guards.

Among its portfolio of 1,129,000 hectares of land (approx. 2,789,819 acres), the Forestry Commission has some 838,000 hectares of forest (approx. 2,070,743 acres). Mechanical Engineering Services provides a fleet of 1,650 vehicles and a hire, repair and maintenance service for vehicles, plant and machinery, ranging in size from a chainsaw to the largest items of forestry equipment. MES, which is headquartered at Stirling, operates 10 workshops throughout the UK and is the largest supplier of forestry equipment in the country.