VAUXHALL fleet chiefs have heralded the Vectra's auction debut as proof positive that the manufacturer leads the pack in the wholelife costs stakes.

A dozen examples of the Cavalier's successor reached an average 85% of list price with the more sought-after vehicles notching up more than 90% of cost new at ADT's Measham auction centre (Fleet News April 19). The Vectra also debuts in this month's edition of used prices 'bible' CAP Black Book with a listing which puts it almost £2,000 ahead of the competition.

At 15,000 miles, CAP values a 1995 N-registered Vectra 1.8 LS at £10,900 - £1,350 more than a Laguna 1.8 RT, £1,800 more than a Mondeo 1.8 LX and £1,850 more than a Xantia 1.8 LX.

However, all those models have a lower front end price than the Vectra - in the Renault's case, it is £1,030 cheaper. Vauxhall's fleet marketing and strategy manager Steve Higgs said the residual results vindicated the manufacturer's policy of restricting supply into fast-cycle fleets.