The name of the winner of the International Van of the Year 2009 award spoke volumes about the direction the world's motor industry is heading. Peugeot was first off the mark to announce the award had been won by its new Bipper van. Shortly afterwards, Citroën announced the Nemo had taken the award and finally Fiat pitched in with the announcement that the accolade had been bestowed on the Fiorino.

And the reason for this apparently confusing triple triumph? Simple. All three are variations on the same joint project between Fiat and the Peugeot-Citroen group.

Built in Turkey, the Nemo is set to carve a niche with drivers who want to combine maximum carrying capacity with a nippy little vehicle capable of zipping around congested city streets.

With a load capacity of about 610kg and almost three cubic metres of load volume, the Nemo is perfect for round-town deliveries of smaller items. Well-designed and compact, it is a real innovation in size and styling and looks like nothing else on the road.

With UK prices from just £7,995 plus VAT, the Citroën Nemo is available with a choice of 1.4HDi 70 horsepower diesel, 1.4i 75 horsepower petrol or dual fuel (petrol/LPG) power, with either five-speed manual, or Sensodrive two-pedal automated manual transmission.

Evidence of its fuel efficiency came in a recent national economy run when the 1.4HDi Nemo managed 84.09mpg, making it the UK's most economical van.

As well as being economical, it is surprisingly large and practical. The Nemo’s load compartment has near vertical side walls, a load deck length of 1520mm, a width between arches of 1050mm and a maximum internal load height of 1180mm. If the unique Extenso folding/sliding passenger seat option is specified, this large load compartment increases to 2.8 cubic metres and also provides a near-2.5m load length. The Extenso passenger seat back can be folded horizontally on to the seat cushion and the whole seat lowered so that the now horizontal seat back is level with the load compartment floor.

Standard equipment for Nemo LX vans includes a nearside sliding side load door and all models can also be specified with twin sliding side load doors as an option. Other standard Nemo load compartment features include floor-mounted tie-down eyes and protective panelling to the waist rail.

The Nemo was not the only winner at the international van awards as, for the first time, Citroën scored a double triumph with the new Berlingo finishing in second place.

The new Berlingo is longer and wider than its predecessor and all models, except the X model powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine, are fitted with Trafficmaster Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking systems as part of their standard equipment.

With prices starting at £10,395 plus VAT, it is a smart-looking, compact vehicle that delivers a smooth, quiet, comfortable ride, making it ideal for mid- or even long-distance runs.

Standard equipment on all Berlingos is high and includes a trip computer, central locking, electric front windows and internally adjustable door mirrors.

The standard trim is further augmented in new Berlingo LX models with remote central locking, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and an external temperature sensor.

Standard audio equipment includes a stereo radio/CD player.

Two versions of the new Berlingo are available. The new Berlingo L1 has a load compartment volume of 3.3 cubic metres, while the larger L2 model has a 3.7 cubic metre capacity load compartment.

Two ISO pallets can be carried in either version and width between the wheelarches is an impressive 1229mm while the maximum width of the load compartment is 1620mm.

It comes with a choice of three engines — a new 1.6-litre petrol engine and two 1.6HDi diesels. All three engines have five-speed gearboxes.

Like the Nemo, the new Berlingo’s load carrying versatility is further enhanced with Citroën’s Extenso cabin option.

On the Berlingo this provides the ability to seat a driver and two passengers, thanks to a middle seat for occasional use. With the Extenso cabin option the outer passenger seat can be folded away to enable loads of 3.0m or more in length, dependent on model, to be carried. The outer passenger seat can also be configured so that its seat cushion can be raised vertically against the seat back, to enable tall items to be carried on the cab floor next to the driver. With the Extenso cabin, the load space of new Berlingo is increased by 0.4 cubic metres to give a total load volume of 3.7 cubic metres for the L1 and 4.1 cubic metres for the L2 model.

The original Berlingo range included a unique and successful platform cab model. This configuration is continued in the new Berlingo range with a 1,000kg body-payload platform cab which is available to suit mini-motorcaravan, temperature controlled bodywork and other specialist body applications.