Citroen has appointed 16 dealers within its existing UK network as commercial vehicle specialists in order to cater for its six-strong LCV model range.

Robert Handyside, Citroën’s commercial vehicle operations manager, said: “With increasing competition customers are demanding ever higher levels of sales and after sales service.

"Our new commercial vehicle specialist dealer network will provide a level of additional services to those already provided by our existing 200 plus dealer network."

The newly appointed Citroën commercial vehicle specialist dealers are Bollingmores in Sunbury, Middlesex, Freeborn in Southampton, Yeomans in Exeter, Islington Motors in Trowbridge, Citroën London West in Brentford, Middlesex, Duff Morgan in Norwich, Citroën Coventry, Citroën Birmingham, Town Centre in Sunderland, Citroën Glasgow, Evans Halshaw in Leeds, Citroën Manchester in Sale, John Wilding in Morecambe and Citroën Edinburgh. Citroen Hatfield and Citroen Slough will also gain commercial vehicle specialist status in September.

Each of the dealers will have access to a wider range of new Citroën commercial vehicles in stock, including models from Citroën’s Ready to Run specialist vehicle programme. Also, these dealers will have a larger number of demonstrators and carry a bigger choice of Citroën approved used commercial vehicles. Additional services offered include extended service department opening hours, courtesy vans and a wider range of while-you-wait service operations.

Citroen has developed a new LCV training programme to make sure staff at the new LCV specialist dealers have "the level of expertise required".

Handyside said: "We believe that the appointment of the specialist dealers will attract a large number of new customers. Citroën will be able to provide an unrivalled level of sales and aftersales support."