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Citroën's newly arrived Nemo and Berlingo light vans will form one part of the French light CV manufacturer's three-part UK strategy, the other two being the creation of a dedicated, 20-strong LCV dealer network and a major push to improve its LCV residual values by the end of the year.

Speaking at last week's UK launch event,  Citroën UK's CV operations director Robert Handyside reported that 2007 had been "a tremendous year and a record one for Citroën, which finished in third place in the up-to-3.5-tonne market sector. And we've got off to a good start in 2008 too." Handyside added that by the end of June, some 20 Citroën Commercial Vehicle Specialist Dealers (CVSD) will be in place, drawn from the company's existing 200-plus UK outlets.

CVSD outlets will employ specialist sales/workshop staff and hold a larger stock of Citroën light commercials including loan vans and the current seven 'Ready to Run' pre-bodied models. Where appropriate, they'll also offer extended servicing hours. Despite both vans only breaking cover at the CV Show in April, Citroën UK is certainly being bullish about  predicted residual values for Nemo and Berlingo - based on their claimed ease of repair, longer service intervals, build quality and low insurance groups.

According to price-guide experts CAP, Nemo is expected to have a residual value in excess of 32% after a typical three-year/60,000-mile life similarly, Berlingo is given a figure of 33%. Citroën UK says its policy of offering vehicle tracking as standard on all Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay models is another contributing factor to CAP's high ratings.

The Nemo's petrol and diesel engines both come with a 20,000-mile/two-year service interval, while the Berlingo has a 20,000-mile interval for the 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 12,500-mile interval for both of its HDi diesel engines, which also boast an impressive 150,000-mile cambelt life.

The 1.4-litre (Nemo) and 1.6-litre (Berlingo) HDi diesels can also be operated on a 30% biodiesel mixture without modification or warranty infringement, while a dual-fuel/LPG option is available for the Berlingo based on its 1.6-litre petrol engine.