CITROËN has scored a first by making Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation and a GPS stolen vehicle tracking device standard on all new Relays.

Citroën is facing huge pressure from the premium van makers such as Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, who have just launched new Sprinter and Crafter against the Relay.

But the French manufacturer believes that its new van, which went on sale last month, now matches – and in some cases exceeds – the German rivals.

Relay will be the only van in the UK to offer sat-nav and tracking as standard spec and Citroën believes that the devices can save around £2,500 a year per vehicle in running costs.

Citroën CV operations manager Robert Handyside said: ‘Sat-nav has considerable cost savings and safety benefits for van drivers. The Trafficmaster system developed for the new Relay is unique and can be remotely upgraded to add additional services and options in the future.’