Citan cavalcade sees off rivals in the canine cargo league

WHEN it comes to ‘walkies’, dog specialist Holybrooks has no doubt which van is leader of the pack as proprietor Helen Tuthill’s Mercedes Citan cavalcade sees off rivals.

The Reading-based company, which offers high-quality dog walking services, as well as outdoor training courses and private tuition, has just collared three new Citans from dealer group Rygor Commercials.

These long-bodied versions of Mercedes’ smallest van are finished in Holybrooks’ distinctive livery and fitted with optional air-conditioning systems.

Their cargo areas have also been specially converted to suit their important canine cargo, having been sprayed with durable, easy-clean Line-X coatings. Then three compartments and privacy dividers, fitted by Barjo Cages & Guards of Wokingham, have been installed.

The Citan might be the smallest van ever to wear a Mercedes badge, but to ensure it’s the dogs getting the exercise rather than the Holybrooks Mercedes’ vans at the pumps, fuel-saving BlueEFFICIENCY measures are fitted as standard.

These include the ECO start/stop function, low rolling resistance tyres, and optimised alternator and battery management systems. The result is outstanding economy of up to 65.7 mpg on the combined cycle.

The new Citan vans have been financed through the Mercedes Agility finance package – a contract purchase method of acquiring new business vans. Proprietor Helen Tuthill said this was another key factor in choosing these Citans for Holybrooks’, leading her from her previous van brand.

The Agility finance package from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services offers all the benefits of conventional hire purchase with a balloon payment – including low monthly repayments – but gives operators extra options at the end of the term.

The extended workshop opening hours operated by the customer-focussed service team at Rygor’s branch in Reading were also key factors behind the buying decision too.

Called Xavier, Xena and Yogi – names which appear over their front wheelarches – the Citans have been an instant hit. “They are great to drive, and every bit as comfortable as you’d expect of a premium brand like Mercedes-Benz,” enthused Helen.

“Clients are always complimenting us on how smart our new vans look, while we’ve already noticed a marked improvement in economy, which means we’re making fewer visits to the filling station.”

Idyllic setting – canines and Citans