Independent parts distributor Motor Parts Direct (MPD) has taken delivery of 25 Citroën Nemo HDi 75 manual Stop & Start LX vans.

Now in its eleventh year, Braintree-based Motor Parts Direct recently opened its 38th depot, supplying parts for cars and LCVs to trade customers from Norwich to Poole in Dorset. The new Nemos join Relay and Dispatch vans in a 275 strong, predominantly Citroën, fleet.

Mukesh Shah, Chairman of Motor Parts Direct, said; “We go for the LX spec as it sends a good message to the drivers. It gives them a height-adjustable seat and other additional features like a nearside sliding door and remote central locking, which are important when doing our type of multi-drop work.”

“The drivers like the Nemos as they’re comfortable and have proved reliable. We like them because they’re very economical and the service level is good. And when we have finished with them, the vans are usually purchased by some of our customers,” continues Mr Shah.

With a 660kg payload allowance and up to 2.8m³ of loadspace, the Nemo can accommodate MPD’s wide range of parts - from wiper blades and brake discs to steering racks and oils. The drivers also make full use of the Extenso® fold-flat seat when needing to carry long items securely inside the van. Motor Parts Direct purchases its vehicles outright and the vans make multiple trips from the depots every day, meaning they will cover around 150,000 miles in the four to five years they are in service.