SINGLE-badge contracts are being identified as prime targets to form the major thrust of Honda's ambitions for dramatic acceleration of fleet sales in the next few months. And Honda UK has signed up ex-Ford men Paul Craven and Adrian Porter as leasing managers with the aim of winning vital fresh sales to build on the company's successful 1996 performance, it was revealed this week.

'Both will use their considerable experience in the industry to concentrate on developing key accounts. Their brief is to look for single-badge deals with the Civic and to grow our position in the user-chooser market with the Accord,' said national corporate sales manager Nicholas Phillips. 'This means that they will inevitably have the volume marques in their sights.'

The appointments come as the company seeks to make spectacular gains on the fleet achievements of its Swindon-built Civic 5-door and Accord executive models. 'Our aim is to double fleet registrations of the Civic 5-door to 7,000 this year and lift Accord fleet sales by one third to 6,000,' said Phillips.