Citroen Commercial is targeting small businesses and owner/drivers with the offer of 12 months’ free fuel when they buy a van from its range.

The manufacturer introduced the ‘Free fuel for a Year’ incentive at the beginning of September for qualifying customers buying a new LCV by outright purchase, PCP or hire purchase. (National fleet customers are excluded from the deal).

Scott Michael, Citroen’s commercial vehicle operations manager, said: “In today’s tough economic climate businesses need to make savings and the new ‘Free fuel for a Year’ scheme meets this key business need.”

The campaign is the latest in the brand’s drive to increase LCV sales to the Small/Medium Enterprise sector through its 90-strong Business Centre network. In the first seven months of the year, it said Business Centres sold 82% of the 6100 Citroen vans bought by SME companies.

Martin Hamill, Citroen’s CV and business sector head, said: “Through the Business Centres Citroen has enhanced its offering to the small and medium-sized businesses that are integral to the success of UK industry. We are able to treat them with the same level of professionalism offered to larger national fleet customers, not only within the sales process but for aftersales as well. This focus has led to a significant year-on-year increase in sales to this sector.”

The value of the fuel in the ‘Free Fuel for a Year’ offer equates to 10,000 miles based on the engine with the lowest mpg in the customer’s chosen model range. The cost per litre is based on the July 2011 AA Fuel Price Report. The value of the fuel is presented to the customer on a pre-paid Citroen-branded debit MasterCard.

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