TRAFFICMASTER is set to announce major new contracts for its traffic information systems with two manufacturers - believed to be Citroen and a luxury car manufacturer - at next month's British International Motor Show at the NEC.

Fleet NewsNet understands that Citroen Xantia models will be factory-fitted with Trafficmaster, with annual volumes expected to be about 20,000 units. Vauxhall was the first manufacturer to fit Trafficmaster to some of its models and it is expected that Citroen will make a formal announcement of its contract with the company at the show. In the ever-competitive upper medium sector the French manufacturer believes the addition of the traffic information device will give a renewed boost to the Xantia line-up.

Meanwhile, Trafficmaster has confirmed that a second contract with a manufacturer will be announced at the show. It is known to be with a luxury manufacturer and this week Trafficmaster reconfirmed that its traffic information system would be integrated into the on-board navigation system of the new luxury car to be launched at the show.

Both Jaguar - with the S-type - and Mercedes-Benz - with the S-class - are launching new luxury cars at the show, but while the former is a world debut the latter's is debuting at this month's Paris Motor Show. Lexus is launching a new car at the show, but the IS200 will compete against BMW 3-series and Audi A4 and not directly in the luxury sector.