The SG3 Shoguns will be used for quarter three supply, in addition to the 30 vehicles delivered in March.

Alan Rowley, contracts manager for the Highways Agency, said: ‘I would like to confirm that the contract for the supply of the next 40 Highways Agency Traffic Officer vehicles has been awarded and the vehicle chosen for the task is the Mitsubishi Shogun.

‘The Mitsubishi Shogun with its exceptional towing capacity, high reliability, low running costs and large boot space make it particularly suited for its Traffic Officer role.

‘As fleet manager I am extremely pleased to be continuing our already long standing relationship with Mitsubishi and am happy to welcome them onto my fleet.’

All 40 Shoguns will be built at the carmaker’s Specialist Vehicle Operations Centre in Cirencester, which refits, adapts and upgrades standard Mitsubishi models to meet individual client requirements and is also working with other fleet operators including Ministry of Defence Police, Severn Trent Water and Thames Valley Police for their Dog Units.

Each vehicle will take up to 24 hours to complete and will be bespoke to the Highways Agency’s requirements, this will include light bars, grille lights and the distinctive Highways Agency livery.

Dan Pigot, corporate sales manager at Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said: ‘This latest order from the Highways Agency is proof that Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is continuing to tick all the boxes with Specialist Fleet Operators. The Highways Agency know that the Shogun is a tough, practical vehicle and that it is also extremely comfortable to drive.

‘The fact that we are able to offer our specialist fleet refits ‘‘in-house’’ is a major selling point. No-one knows better than the manufacturer what can be done, no third parties need to be involved so the whole process is nicely joined up and the vehicles will also benefit from the conversion running in line with the vehicle warranty.’