Citroen business magazine

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CHOICE LISTS

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 4-5 IN FLEET

6-7 NEW CITROËN BERLINGO THE first half of the year is always awards season in our industry and at Citroën we’ve discovered what it must be like for one of those actors or actresses who delivers the role of a lifetime, and finds themselves constantly up on the podium delivering thank-you speeches, gong in hand.

That’s because we have won a remarkable number of awards. Often they have been for the amazingly wellreceived new C4 Cactus, but also for other stalwarts of the range too, such as the C4 Picasso, and our vans.

In the corporate sector, we’ve won major awards with Fleet World and Fleet News, which are especially pleasing, but the scope of success is far and wide – from consumer heavyweights such as What Car?, to global design honours. What this does is prove that the direction in which we are taking Citroën is understood by the critics and that our approach is the right one.

That, of course, is just the start. Because for all the plaudits and black tie celebrations it is essential that we carry that understanding into the market itself, and for cars such as the C4 Cactus and Picasso, we are seeing really strong corporate sales. The result is that production is being ramped up, and investment opportunities begin to show themselves.

That reflects in our stunning new product, and technological, development, evident in New Berlingo, C4 Cactus and Picasso. This year has already been a remarkable one for Citroën – we are on a roll – CLICK HERE to get in touch and find out more. We very much look forward to hearing from you.

MARK TURNER LOCAL BUSINESS MANAGER ROBINSONS mark.turner@robinsonsmotorgroup.co.uk

8-9 FLEET CHOICE LISTS

10-11 READY TO RUN CONVERSIONS

12-13 CITROËN AWARDS 2015

CITROËN BUSINESS UPGRADE TO BUSINESS CLASS

CONTACT

ISSUE 14

ROBINSONS STOREYS BAR RD EASTERN ROAD PETERBOROUGH PE1 5YS

CHOICE LISTS

CITROËN CONTINUES TO GIVE FLEETS MORE OPTIONS

TEL: 01733 341628

CITROËN.CO.UK/FLEET

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“DRIVERS WANT INDIVIDUAL CARS THAT PERFECTLY FIT THEIR LIFESTYLE AND SUIT THEIR TASTES.”

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citroËn BUsiness

aircross concept goes gloBal the citroën aircross concept was recently launched in shanghai to global acclaim, illustrating the brand’s international ambitions and building on the success of the new c4 cactus with a body style intended for worldwide sale. the plug-in petrol-electric hybrid citroën aircross concept offers new design cues while retaining the essential characteristics of an sUV. drawing on the product and styling traits of the c4 cactus, body design and cabin

ambience express a sense of modernity and a unique ‘feel good’ spirit. the front end features a new chevron design and a two-tier light signature, which rst appeared on the latest-generation c4 picasso. at the rear, the new 3d-effect lights have a high-tech and graphic appearance. these classic citroën design touches are rounded out by a oating roof and uninterrupted area of glass right around the cabin, and its own take on the hugely popular airbumps of the c4

cactus, this time repurposed for off-roading. a feeling of well-being for passengers is generated by the bright and colourful interior that is in harmony with the exterior body colour. the atmosphere is refreshing and modern, with white leather contrasting with orange stitching, while physical wellbeing is encouraged by the ‘king-size’ seats. the seat backs are open and welcoming, inviting passengers to embark on a new kind of travel experience, with a feeling of comfort and cabin space.

picasso gets increased six appeal the award-winning citroën c4 picasso now comes with a new euro 6 engine line-up that leaves an even smaller footprint on the environment than ever before. the petrol puretech and diesel Bluehdi engine range has always been highly competitive on co2, with emissions as low as 99g/km for the c4 picasso, but with the move to euro 6 nox and particulates are notably reduced as well. in the Bluehdi range, the exclusive diesel emission control technology uniquely combines oxidation catalysis, scr (selective catalytic reduction) and the dpF with additive, to combine reduction of nox by up to 90%, eliminate 99.9% of particulates by number and optimise co2 emissions and fuel economy by up to 4%.

Unlike its competitors who have opted for catalysed lters, citroën uses a dpF with additive. it offers better performance due to regeneration which is four times faster than the catalysed lters, permitting optimum operation in all driving conditions, including in town, and limiting the consumption of fuel linked with injections of additives, essential to ensure the regeneration of the catalysed lters.

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IN FLEET

FROM CURRANT BUNS TO CURRENT BERLINGO THE 300 year old Kings Cliffe Bakery, in Northamptonshire have just taken delivery of their latest Citroën Berlingo. The new addition keeps up the bakeries long standing relationship with the brand.

Owner Oliver O’Sullivan, who has been the local baker for the past 28 years, has been with the brand for just as long, starting out with the Citroën C15’s up to his new Berlingo Enterprise, with its Air conditioning, Bluetooth, and parking sensors, a massive leap forward in standard specification, from his original delivery Vans.

The bakery took advantage of the loyalty discount and the 4 years upgraded service and breakdown package.

For more information call Matt Bye, the local business manager at Robinsons Citroen Peterborough on 01733 431628.

CITROËN C4 CACTUS BLOGGED AROUND EUROPE CITROËN is running an original interactive experience throughout the UK, France and Holland, where 150 bloggers from very different worlds including design, fashion and travel have been chosen to test drive the C4 Cactus and reflect on their time in the car through online channels.

Bloggers in the were invited to enjoy the design and comfort of the C4 Cactus, and share their experiences on the loveC4cactus.co.uk website and through social networks using the hashtag #LoveC4Cactus.

The bloggers’ perception of the C4 Cactus has been unanimously positive, recognising its unique character and the positive spirit it conveys.

CITROËN RAMPS UP FACTORY PRODUCTION CITROËN has announced that it will be increasing output in its European plants in order to capitalise on growth in Europe's markets and meet demand from its customers. More than 60,000 additional PSA Group vehicles will be produced in Europe by the end of August 2015, meaning that volumes will be 10% higher than initially planned for the period.

The number of Citroën C4 Cactus cars manufactured in Madrid – a model which exceeds its targets with orders totaling nearly 30,000 since January – will be increased by 9,000 units over the period.

The number of DS 3 units manufactured in Poissy, France will also increase, as will volumes across the Group's range of utility vehicles, in a segment that PSA Peugeot Citroën continues to lead.

As part of the plan to increase production, operations will be stepped up at the Group's engine and gearbox plants in France, as

well as at its foundries and in its sales networks. Suppliers and the entire automotive industry will also be called on to participate in the uptrend.

Denis Martin, Executive Vice President, Operational Director Europe, said: “Growth in the European market is very good news for the entire automotive industry, from plants to dealership networks to suppliers. It's having a real turbo effect on PSA's performance.

“The positive development we're seeing in the market today means we can step up execution of the Back in the Race plan, which was based on the assumption that the market would remain flat. With the support of our suppliers, and thanks to the flexibility provided for in the agreements signed with employee representatives, we are mobilising all our resources to meet demand from our customers.”

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CITROËN BUSINESS

GO WITH BERLINGO! THE NEW CITROËN BERLINGO OFFERS REMARKABLE ADAPTABILITY AND PRACTICALITY, WITH CLEANER ENGINES, HI-TECH NEW INFOTAINMENT AND A REFRESHED CABIN.

A benchmark in the leisure vehicle and LCV segments, the Citroën Berlingo is being updated for 2015 with a new take on function and design, strength and comfort, simplicity and technology.

A new expressive design with a front end that is more assertive in appearance, without being aggressive features a new front bumper with repositioned LED DRLs and a new radiator grille.

Multispace versions also gain two new body colours; Cumulus Grey and Moka Grey. All the features that are fundamental to the comfort of Berlingo are retained. On Multispace versions, this includes the Modutop roof, advanced comfort in terms of seating and suspension, three independent seats in row two and an opening rear window.

These strong features take their place in a redesigned cabin environment with, in particular, two new upholstery designs for Multispace too.

Intelligent technology for easier use is now also available, with the arrival of a new 7-inch Touch Drive Interface that groups media and navigation functions together, along with Mirror Screen technology.

Available from November 2015 production, Mirror Screen allows the driver to duplicate their smartphone content and stay connected at all times via the touchscreen.

New Citroën Berlingo offers optional reversing camera and front parking sensors to deliver an easier and more relaxed drive. In addition, Active City Brake is available from November 2015.

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Another aspect of New Berlingo’s intelligent technology is the efcient, new-generation BlueHDi Euro 6 diesel engine range: • BlueHDi 75 manual: 65.7mpg and 113g of CO2 • BlueHDi 100 manual: 65.6mpg and 113g of CO2 • BlueHDi 100 S&S manual: 68.8mpg and 109g of CO2 • BlueHDi 100 S&S ETG6 engine: 68.8mpg and 109g of CO2 • BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual: 64.2mpg and 115g of CO2

NEW CITROËN BERLINGO LCV “NEW BERLINGO NOW fEATuRES INTELLIGENT TEChNOLOGy fOR INCREASEd fuNCTIONALITy.”

CITROËN also has a solution for business users. The LCV version of the New Citroën Berlingo has a range of payloads, engines and equipment for all types of use.

Still available in two different lengths, L1 (volume up to 3.7 m3) and L2 (volume up to 4.1 m3), the New Citroën Berlingo has a maximum loading space big enough for two Europallets.

Intelligently designed vehicle access makes loading both safe and easy, with wide sliding side doors and 60/40 asymmetric rear doors opening to 180°. The popular Extenso cabin design remains available with its three modular front seats.

Although the all-diesel range has CO2 as low as 109g/km, eets can be cleaner still with the electric version of the New Citroën Berlingo, which sets the standard in the eld of electric vans.

The New Citroën Berlingo Electric has a range of 110 miles between charges, and has a battery able to recharge automatically during deceleration and braking. With a power output of 67hp and virtually constant torque of 200Nm, it accelerates crisply to reach a speed of 68mph to move easily into trafc.

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CITROﾃ起 BUSINESS

A CHOICE LIST

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TheRe was a time when, if you asked somebody what their idea of a typical eet car was, they would probably say “a doom blue family hatchback”.

Conservative selection and regimented choice was how costs could be kept to a minimum and risk was managed. After all, if a fleet manager could control exactly what the make-up of the fleet would be for the next three or four years, then it was easier to predict budgets and residual values, and if there was a need to reallocate cars, then the task was

simpler if everyone had the same thing.

But times have changed markedly. We live in an age of increased personalisation, ostensibly driven by the digital revolution, which allows huge choice and straightforward adaptation of almost every consumer good on sale. in the car market, this changing trend has been especially marked. huge advances in ordering, parts supply and vehicle production through the use of technology means that factories no longer have to churn out batches of the same

cars: each one coming down the line can be utterly different from the one in front and the one behind. drivers want cars that perfectly t their lifestyle and suit their tastes. Compromise is not an issue. The Citroën C4 Cactus is a car which reects this new way of doing things. it sits at a market sector crossroads, offering a stylish alternative to a conventional C-segment hatchback; more space than a B-segment crossover; and a downsizing opportunity from larger C-segment crossovers.

A TeChNOLOGiCAL RevOLuTiON hAS meANT The dAYS OF CONSeRvATive, ReGimeNTed COmPANY CAR ChOiCe ARe OveR. BuT PeRSONALiSATiON ANd iNdividuALiTY dOeSN’T meAN BRiNGiNG RiSk TO A FLeeT iF iT’S dONe RiGhT....

HOW FLEETS ARE REACTING TO THE CHANGE IN TASTE AND CHOICE...

The eet industry has had to react to the change in demand and the new abilities to supply. On the one hand, offering huge choice to drivers does throw up the issue that if everybody has particularly individual cars, there could be some issues if they leave and that vehicle needs to nd a new home.

But the positives far outweigh the odd logistical challenge. To start with, giving employees the opportunity to order a car very personal to them is good for morale and retention, with the knock-on effect that a driver who has tailored their own vehicle is likely to look after it better.

CAP’s Retail and Consumer Specialist, Philip Nothard says: “The market has become a lot more open in terms of acceptance of diverse colour and bespoke options, and company car drivers are increasingly making their choices as somebody who is buying their own vehicle would.”

“Generally now, bolder colours are becoming a lot more acceptable in the market. White and black remain high on choice lists, but for a car with a strong design language and distinctive character, such as Citroën C4 Cactus, bright colours and unique combinations work well.

“Fleets still need to manage the process a little bit, but they also need to understand that the car has a unique image and the colours and choices reflect that. They don’t need to be too frightened of that boldness, because of the type of car it is.”

Then, when it comes to disposal time there isn’t the potential issue of having to deeet lots of the exact same cars, which can have an effect on residual values. Lots of choice for the used buyer (and of course a wider net thanks to online selling) should equate to higher values.

“With the internet now, used buyers will search further afield for the colour and trim they want, and also will pay better money to get exactly what they want,” Nothard added.

There is a limit to this of course. You don’t want such a vast range of personalisation that some dubious taste results in cars which struggle to nd a second home. That’s where rms like Citroën work very hard in the planning stage to offer a wide range of colours and options, within a framework which results in very attractive cars for a wide crosssection of the new and used market.

For Citroën C4 Cactus, there are 10 body colours, with black Airbump as standard with three additional colours, while standard specication black door mirrors and rear quarter-panel inserts can be changed to red, white or black.

CAP’s Nothard has identied a resurgence of interest among consumers in green, beige, gold, bronze, brown, yellow and even orange cars – all shades that have been shunned in the mainstream car market for decades.

The result is that every driver can choose a car that feels very personal to them, without any risk to the eet. Now that’s the ideal combination.

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CITROËN BUSINESS

EASILY CONVERTED CITROËN’S READY TO RUN RANGE ENSURES THE RIGHT TYPE OF VAN IS AVAILABLE, WHATEVER THE JOB. CITROËN has added to its market-leading Ready To Run conversions range and lifted the specification of all Relay models within the line-up.

There are two additions to the New Relay Ready To Run line, including a New Relay 35 L3 HDi 130 six-speed manual Enterprise Crew Cab Dropside and a New Relay 35 Heavy L4 HDi 130 six-speed manual Enterprise Dropside.

The Ready To Run programme was established to provide Citroën dealers and customers with ready-bodied Tippers, Dropsides and Luton-bodied vans from stock, at highly competitive prices. This allows customers to purchase vehicles from a single source, without having to take a chassis cab to a body builder for conversion work.

This one-stop shop approach cuts delivery times significantly, allowing customers to purchase vehicles from dealer stock when required. It also provides the same comprehensive warranty for the

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chassis and body, delivering long term peace of mind.

Citroën has also boosted the appeal of the New Relay Ready To Run range by basing all of these conversions on its rangetopping Enterprise trim level. New Relay Enterprise chassis cab specification includes a Teletrac Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking telematics package.

Also included are air conditioning, cruise control with a variable speed limiter, a perimetric alarm, a 5-inch colour touchscreen, DAB digital radio with Bluetooth audio streaming and SMS, plus an MP3 compatible CD player.

Jeremy Smith, Citroën’s Head of Commercial Vehicles & Business Sector Operations, said: “The ready-bodied New Relay Ready to Run range has proved to be a big hit with our customers. We are now ordering up to 130 New Relay chassis per month for this programme alone.

“The addition of New Relay Ready to Run models together with the high-

specification Enterprise versions will considerably increase the customer appeal of this popular range.”

Citroën’s New Relay Tipper is built with Tipmaster’s electro-hydraulic tipping body, using a fully welded steel floor and aluminium sides and tailboard. Options include mesh cages, refuse hoods, tail lifts, cranes and a full range of ancillary equipment such as beacons, tow bars and tool boxes.

The Ready To Run Dropsides use a light weight alloy sided body from Ingimex, with a one-piece phenol-coated deck and galvanised lower frame. Dropsides are available with both single and double cabs on the New Relay chassis.

The New Relay Luton van is built by Buckstone, featuring the company’s Super Slick moulded Luton front panel.

The body has 11mm GRP side panels and full height timber tie rails. Rear parking sensors are also part of the Ready To Run specification.

“hIgh-SPEcIfIcaTION ENTERPRISE vERSIONS wILL cONSIDERabLy INcREaSE cUSTOmER aPPEaL.”

THE RANGE “The New Relay Ready to Run branding better explains the strengths of this range, which is available ready-converted, ex-stock, with a full factory warranty,” said Jeremy.

“Stock availability is a major factor that is helping our dealers to sell increasing numbers of these high quality Tipper, Dropside and Luton vehicles. This is coupled with the benets of competitive pricing, a full factory warranty and availability of citroën contract motoring finance Lease and contract hire agreements.” whether customers opt for the popular Tipper, Dropside or Luton bodies, or require a more specialist approach to meet the specific requirements of their business, citroën has a broad range of vehicles and conversions on offer. with the backing of citroën’s business centre network and citroën contract motoring, customers can be sure that citroën can deliver the right commercial vehicle to meet their needs.

TIPPER Citroën’s Ready to Run New Relay Tipper is available on a 35 L2 HDi 130 Enterprise chassis. The Tipper is equipped with a Tipmaster steel-oored body, with electrohydraulic tipping equipment.

DROPSIDE New additions to the Ready to Run Dropside line-up include a New Relay 35 L3 HDi 130 Enterprise Crew Cab model and a New Relay L4 Heavy HDi 130 Enterprise. These two models are in addition to the existing New Relay 35 L2 HDi 130 Enterprise Dropside.

LUTON There are two Citroën Ready to Run Luton vans available, using a Buckstone body with Super Slick front panel. They are based on New Relay 35 L3 HDi 130 Enterprise and New Relay 35 Heavy L4 HDi 150 Enterprise chassis. The Luton body has 11mm GRP body sides and timber tie rails as standard.

SPEcIaLIST cONvERSIONS whILE Tipper, Dropside and Luton conversions are available as part of the Relay Ready to Run range, and should be readily available from stock at citroën dealers, a host of other specialist conversions are available direct from leading body builders.

These include a range of chiller and freezer vans, produced by specialist temperature-controlled converter Somers Refrigeration and available for berlingo, Dispatch and New Relay models. Using lightweight, high-performance insulation panels, the Somers conversions ensure maximum payloads are maintained without compromising refrigeration performance. additional specialist conversions include people-carrying solutions from advanced minibuses and Plant carriers from KfS. In the case of these more specialist conversions, the individual body builders provide a comprehensive body warranty to match that provided by citroën on the base chassis.

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CITROËN AWARDS 2015 WHAT CAR? CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015 Best MPV: Citroën Grand C4 Picasso

CAR DESIGN NEWS AWARDS 2015 Production Car of the Year: Citroën C4 Cactus

“Grand C4 Picasso is the most efficient ways of transporting seven, as well as being practical enough to meet a huge range of needs, cementing its position as our favourite MPV.”

FLEET WORLD HONOURS 2015 Best MPV: Citroën C4 Picasso & Citroën Grand C4 Picasso “C4 Picasso manages to be infinitely practical, yet also distinctive and stylish, while the Grand C4 Picasso remains the only 7-seat MPV to emit less than 100g/km of CO2 without hybrid technology.”

“Every so often, a design emerges that is both against the grain, yet perfectly adapted. Citroën’s C4 Cactus is a prime example of this rarefied breed.”

BUSINESS VAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015 Van of the Year: Citroën Berlingo Enterprise Best Heavy Van: Citroën Relay Enterprise Best Small Trades Van: Citroën Berlingo Enterprise “Citroën Berlingo is smart, practical and versatile, plus it's affordable to run. New Relay Enterprise impresses with its strong combination of operator benefits, including load carrying practicality, driver safety, comfort and convenience.”

VANS A2Z AWARDS 2015 One-Stop-Shop Award: Citroën Ready to Run “One of the big advantages of off-the-shelf conversions is that they are instantly available. Citroën is a past master of this. Ready to Run is one of the best-run and ready-to-go-to-work specialist vehicle schemes around.

“Citroën has invested heavily to ensure its new Relay Ready to Run vehicles are more widely available throughout its network, and that is good news for both dealers and prospective customers.”

TRADE VAN DRIVER AWARDS Best Small Van: Citroën Berlingo Best Conversion Range: Citroën Ready to Run

UK CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015 Small Hatchback of the Year: Citroën C4 Cactus “Cactus is the most original affordable small car launched for years, with a genuinely innovative exterior and a thoughtfully designed interior.”

“Citroën Berlingo impresses with its wide choice of variants, low cost of operation and high levels of driver appeal. The quality and value-for-money of the Relay Ready to Run range makes it a worthy winner.”

WINNER

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WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2015 Car Design of the Year: Citroën C4 Cactus

FLEET NEWS AWARDS 2015 Best Compact SUV Award: Citroën C4 Cactus Best Seven-Seat People Carrier Award: Citroën Grand C4 Picasso

“C4 Cactus is a stylish, optimistic and original car, with a unique personality, that offers a genuine alternative to conventional C-segment hatchbacks.”

“Grand C4 Picasso and C4 Cactus are designed to appeal to both business and private buyers.

These Awards reflect the considerable financial, operational and environmental benefits these models bring to the UK fleet sector.”

DIESELCAR MAGAZINE’S CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2015 Car of the Year: Citroën C4 Cactus Best MPV: Citroën Grand C4 Picasso “Citroën C4 Cactus is the perfect car for the times. It’s affordable, practical and incredibly comfortable, all wrapped up with a striking design. Grand C4 Picasso’s hi-tech equipment and safety functions will keep even the most ardent gadget geek happy.”

DS FOR BUSINESS

THE French intrinsically understand the notion of luxury better than any other nation, and for them, comfort is the foundation of high-end, avant-garde sophistication.

It’s a notion intrinsic to the DS brand, as it has been for 60 years since the first DS showed the world that a car can glide, not bump, across the road surface.

That hasn’t changed, as you can see from New DS 5, which offers even more refinement and deepseated quality, and as the roll-out of our new DS salons begins, the experience will be one of comfort and luxury for company car drivers. Premium doesn’t always have to be starkly corporate, and I believe the DS brand will strike a chord with drivers for that very character.

Our new limited edition ‘1955’ models relate the modern range to that avant-garde icon of six decades ago, and it’s a heritage of which we are especially proud, for the DS spirit of avant-garde is just as important now as it was then.

Of course, luxury and the avant-garde are values to be celebrated, but in the fleet industry you cannot offer such a level of sophistication without the right running costs. The two must co-exist.

So all our DS models come with incredibly efficient engines, with enhancements such as the new EAT6 6-speed automatic transmission, PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines across the range. In addition, residual values are strengthened by distinctive, evocative design alongside class-leading technology, as evidenced on the striking New DS 5. Premium, yes. Profligate, no.

MARK BLUNDELL MARKETING DIRECTOR – DS

CONTENTS 4-5

THE DS EXPERIENCE

6-7

60 YEARS – THEN AND NOW

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DS: THE CONNECTED CAR

10-11 THE DS RANGE

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IT’S A HERITAGE OF WHICH WE’RE ESPECIALLY PROUD.

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DS DEFINED DS SALON // YEOMANS

STYLISH, luxurious, distinctive – DS is already defining French premium motoring with its vehicles. Now, with the first bespoke Salons opening in the UK, the brand is expanding its offering to focus on a premium-class service for new and existing customers.

These first sites are a step towards mirroring an established sales model already in use globally. DS in China has its own network, entirely separate from Citroën, while Europe’s flagship DS World showroom opened among the boutiques of Paris’s exclusive ‘Golden Triangle’ in late 2013.

In the UK, this will be mirrored by a network including a mix of large DS Stores, which include their own entrance and are heavily separated from Citroën dealers, and smaller DS Salons, rolled out depending on their locality. It creates the foundations for a growing customer base as the range expands.

BENCHMARKING IMPECCABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SATISFACTION, SOUTH COAST DEALER GROUP YEOMANS OPERATES TWO OF THE UK’S FIRST DS SALONS, AND IT’S ALREADY HAVING A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE BUSINESS.

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CUSTOMERS ARE REALLY IMPRESSED – WE’VE HAD NOTHING BUT POSITIVE FEEDBACK. TOM LANDER, DIRECTOR, YEOMANS

For Yeomans, which has represented Citroën for almost 25 years, the opportunity to become one of the first members of the new network was too good to miss. The group, which spans the south coast from Cornwall to East Sussex, has four Citroën dealers and operates two Business Centres. It recently opened DS Salons in Exeter and Plymouth.

Director Tom Lander, who is also the chairman of the national dealer council for Citroën and DS, is feeling confident about the investment: “We saw the opportunity when we were in the middle of refurbishing our premises to install the new DS corporate identity,” he says. “We can see a very positive future for DS in the UK, so we were pleased to do it.”

The two DS Salons offer a greater degree of separation from the Citroën showrooms than the DS Zones used to date. Marked out by black tiling on the floor and ceiling, and with luxurious furniture and specialist DS staff on hand, customers have been quick to take note of the changes.

“I can sum it up in one word: ‘chic’,” says Lander. “It sits very nicely alongside the DS strapline of ‘Spirit of Avant Garde’ and customers have been really impressed – we’ve had nothing but positive feedback.”

The group’s two DS Salons share sites with its Business Centres, potentially paving the way for a bespoke brand experience for fleet customers as a multitude of exciting new products join the range before the end of the decade.

“We provide good levels of service anyway, but from a manufacturer point of view, and from our own point of view, there’s an even greater focus on customer delight,” says Lander.

“Other Citroën dealers have reacted very positively too – we were taken to Paris a few weeks ago to see what’s coming soon, and the future looks good. As I talk to other dealers considering investing in DS Salons, I’m fully supportive of them doing so.”

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A (WORKING) WORLD APART WHEN THE FUTURISTIC CITROËN DS WAS LAUNCHED 60 YEARS AGO, THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WAS UNRECOGNISABLE FROM ITS 2015 COUNTERPART. ANTHONY FFRENCH-CONSTANT EXPLORES THE CHANGES.

1955 IN 1955 the UK population stood at just over 50 million, with a 23 million-strong workforce. 96% of men were employed, and a surprisingly large number of women worked; around one in two – some 1.5 million of them as secretaries or in a typing pool.

With a 48 hour working week not uncommon, a staggering 8.7 million people worked in manufacturing, around 880,000 in mining and quarrying and a further 725,000 in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Many jobs barely existed 60 years ago, with, for instance, only 20,000 people working in personnel compared to today's army of around 400,000.

But some things never change; around six million people worked in the public sector in 1955, exactly the same number which currently make up the state workforce. Unemployment, meanwhile, hovered at under 400,000.

The average annual wage in 1955 was £729.31, but a newly qualified doctor earned just £365 per annum, of which one pound a week went on the renting of a two-bedroom flat.

Everybody coveted their own car, in which to enjoy a road network free of both motorways and speed limits. A new family car cost only about £400, but our young professional had his eyes on the astonishingly futuristic Citroën DS 19, the 'Goddess' unveiled at the 1955 Paris Motor Show.

Today we may smile at a 0-62mph time of over 22 seconds and a top speed of just 87mph, but the DS was crammed with technological innovation, boasting not only the world's first iteration of all-round disc brakes, but also hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension which equipped it with the ride of a freshly buttered bannister.

The only slight snag was that, in the pre-EU days, when imported to the UK as the ID19 the asking price was £998, plus £500 purchase tax. But it chimed with a workforce increasingly syncing up with modernity.

Technology was coming: slowly at first but with ever more influence.

The office was still run on paper records and ledgers although the advances in computers following the Second World War meant cutting-edge businesses were starting to think about their uses. By modern standards though the memory was pitiful. Digital Equipment Corporation's state-of-the-art computer stored data on punched paper tape and had a memory of 9 kilobytes.

To give it context, a single average-size photograph stored in a modern computer requires about 1,000 kilobytes.

EVERYBODY COVETED THEIR OWN CAR, IN WHICH TO ENJOY A ROAD NETWORK FREE OF BOTH MOTORWAYS AND SPEED LIMITS. 06

2015 TODAY, our overpopulated isle groans under the weight of some 64.1 million inhabitants, of which 32 million make up the workforce. Only 75% of men are employed whilst the number of working women has swollen to about 66%.

The average working week has reduced to just 37 hours, and the number of people working in manufacturing has shrunk to just 2.5 million. By contrast, the number of private sector firms has increased enormously, from only 160,000 in 1955 to over 4.5 million today. The average annual wage is now £26,500, and our doctor, today working as a GP, commands about £65,000 per annum.

Rare is the home in which televisions, laptops and smartphones are not thicker on the ground than ticks on a sheepdog, and an employee's annual holiday allowance has risen from 16 days in 1955 to a minimum of 28 days today. Then again, the average price of a house in the UK now stands at over £270,000.

The world of work has fundamentally changed in 60 years. But, according to a report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, it is not a change which is making many of us happy. “People do not seem much happier about their working lives, and many exhibit the symptoms of workrelated stress” it claims, blaming the invention of new technology – from laptops to smartphones – for imposing entirely new pressures on staff.

Whilst this technology has liberated many to work from home or outside the office, it has resulted in “information overload, created pressure for an instant response, enabled more sophisticated monitoring and surveillance of employees, and blurred the boundaries between work and non-work time”.

Whether our working lives have changed for the better or not over the last 60 years may remain a moot point then, but in one particular sphere, our standard of living has undoubtedly risen spectacularly...

On his starting salary, our 1955 GP would have to save every penny he earned for about four years, and live on thin air, to afford a Citroën DS 19.

Today, just four months work will afford him the Goddess's spiritual successor, the stylish, comprehensively specified New DS 5.

In that context alone, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's famous 1950s exhortation still rings true: “Let us be frank about it; most of our people have never had it so good.”

WHILST NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS LIBERATED MANY TO WORK FROM HOME, IT HAS RESULTED IN ‘INFORMATION OVERLOAD’.

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TRAVEL SMARTER CONNECTIVITY IS REVOLUTIONISING THE WAY WE TRAVEL, AND ON-BOARD TECHNOLOGY IS PUTTING THE DS RANGE AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Available across the DS range, the Touch Drive interface groups most vehicle functions into an intuitive touchscreen. Media, navigation and telephony are included, while air conditioning and vehicle settings help reduce the button count on the dashboard for easier operation. On-board Wi-Fi turns the car into a mobile hotspot, while the touchscreen can display websites on the dashboard.

MADE FOR MOBILE The DS range fully integrates compatible mobile devices into the car. MirrorLink technology will enable compatible smartphone apps to be viewed and controlled safely via the touchscreen, and for messages to be dictated or read back. Via the MyDS smartphone app, drivers will be able to locate their car or complete navigation routes on foot, as well as accessing servicing reminders and vehicle documents remotely.

DATA, CAPTURED Currently being developed, the new DS Connect Box will offer a vast amount of information to be shared via a data connection. Drivers will be able to access their vehicle’s location in real-time, send messages to contacts when they enter or leave a geographical area or enable the police to track the car if it is stolen. The service will also upload driving data, helping DS customers to improve fuel efficiency, check mileage and service intervals.

SAVING LIVES The DS Connect Box is equipped with the SOS and Assistance function as standard, quickly connecting occupants to local emergency services following an accident, enabling faster response times when they’re needed most. More than 230,000 European DS vehicles are already fitted with this trailblazing technology.

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WE ARE UNLEASHING CONNECTED SERVICES TO THE MASSES.

LOOKING AHEAD Smartphones and connected cars are part of an ever-growing ‘Internet of Things’ – a web of data sharing devices which could transform the way we work and live. Through a seven-year partnership with IBM, PSA Peugeot Citroën is investigating how this technology could offer benefits for road-users.

By 2020, an estimated five billion devices will be connected to the internet, from home appliances to road infrastructure, and quarter of a billion vehicles will feature a data connection. IBM and PSA Peugeot Citroën will develop ways to analyse this data, commercialising services which will benefit consumers and businesses.

The potential is huge. Vehicles’ on-board sensors already collect data which could give a real-time picture of traffic flow and weather conditions ahead, in turn enabling the road network to provide advanced warnings. Drivers could also receive personalised information to help them plan ahead.

“We realised early on that connected vehicles, as part of the Internet of Things, were a key factor in the improvement of the customer experience towards our Brands,” said Brigitte Courtehoux, PSA Peugeot Citroën. “We are unleashing connected services to the masses, so consumers can experience a new level of comfort and convenience from their cars, while industries seize new opportunities to deliver personalised services.”

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DS 3 CABRIO CLEVER FABRIC ROOF OFFERS CHIC OPEN-AIR MOTORING WITHOUT COMPROMISING SPACE. FUEL: 42.2-78.5MPG CO2: 94-154G/KM BIK (2015/16): 16-25%

DS 3 EXPRESS YOURSELF WITH NEAR-INFINITE PERSONALISATION OPTIONS AND MODERN DESIGN. FUEL: 43.5-78.5MPG CO2: 94-154G/KM BIK (2015/16): 16-25%

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THE DS RANGE STYLISH, HIGH-TECH AND GREAT TO DRIVE, THE DS RANGE INCLUDES FOUR UNMISTAKEABLE MODELS, EACH WITH AN EXTENSIVE RANGE OF CUSTOMISATION OPTIONS.

NEW DS 5

DS 4

NEWLY UPDATED FOR 2015, THE TECHNOLOGY-RICH EXECUTIVE FLAGSHIP, FEATURING THE ADVANCED HYBRID4 DRIVETRAIN. FUEL: 47.9-72.4MPG CO2: 103-136G/KM BIK (2015/16): 16-29%

DYNAMIC COUPE-LIKE STYLING REFLECTS A DYNAMIC DRIVE, YET WITH THE FLEXIBILITY OF A FIVEDOOR HATCHBACK. FUEL: 36.7-72.4MPG CO2: 103-178G/KM BIK (2015/16): 18-30%

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