The first of 30 specialist Mitsubishi vehicles destined for the Highways Agency has rolled off the production line and is ready for action.

The agency ordered 30 4x4 Shoguns all of which will be built at the carmaker's UK Specialist Vehicle Operations Centre, which refits, adapts and upgrades standard Mitsubishi models to meet individual client requirements.

With each vehicle taking up to 24 hours to complete, staff at the Cirencester-based operation have been working hard to deliver the order.

Dan Pigot, corporate sales manager at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, believes this latest deal in an ongoing relationship with the Highways Agency, is testament to the quality of the Mitsubishi brand.

He said: ‘The Shogun is a tough, practical vehicle but it is also extremely comfortable to drive. For eight hours of the day the vehicle is their office so it needs to be comfortable and the feedback from the traffic officers is that they really like the Shoguns.

‘The Highways Agency is an existing customer and it knows it will stand up to their high demands.'

The bespoke Shoguns include light bars, grill lights and Highways Agency livery.

Earlier this year Mitsubishi supplied 138 specialist vehicles to the Environment Agency, including 70 new Outlanders.

Dan added: ‘This latest contract shows Mitsubishi is continuing to tick all the boxes with specialist fleet operators.

‘The fact we offer our specialist fleet refits ‘‘in-house'' is a major selling point. No-one knows better than the manufacturer what can and can't be done, no third parties need to be involved and the whole process is nicely joined up.'

Mitsubishi Specialist Vehicle Operations (MSVO) is also working on an array of high-profile fleet operators including National Grid and Ministry of Defence