The 1,000-van order for the Homeserve Group is worth £16.5m at showroom prices.

The company has specified the vehicles come equipped with satellite navigation units to enable their engineers to speed up customer response times. Vauxhall will supply the vehicles, a mix of about 50% Movano, 25% Vivaro and 25% Combo.

It is the first time executives at Norwich-based Homeserve have specified satellite navigation systems to be included in their fleet of vehicles.

National fleet manager Tony Heavey said: ‘As we work on a 24/7 basis providing support services to homes all round the UK, we decided that satellite navigation was an essential part of the specification to help speed up our business response times still further.’

The company has 40 branches around the UK and many drivers have to travel into unfamiliar territories in the event of emergencies such as floods or high winds causing damage to properties.

Heavey added: ‘As well as increasing our productivity it has been very well received by our drivers, particularly those on a call-out who have to find a house during dark winter nights.

‘They have to react to a call-out within two hours, so this helps us meet those targets, which are set by insurers.

‘The systems are very easy to use and already we know they are reaping rewards.

‘We’d not used these systems before but they are now a very important part of our business and have been welcomed by our partners, such as insurers.’

Commenting on the deal, Vauxhall and Saab fleet sales director Maurice Howkins said: ‘We are delighted to be associated with a rapidly growing business like Homeserve and look forward to a harmonious and mutually beneficial working relationship.