AT&T's TransLease electronic trading system has won its biggest endorsement to date with the signing-up of vehicle management giant PHH Fleet Management Services.

With companies like Autolease, Highway Vehicle Leasing, British Car Contracts, Ford Contract Motoring and Lex Vehicle Leasing already committed, the agreement gives AT&T around 35% of the UK's contract hire and fleet management vehicles. The company is also engaged in negotiations with several other major leasing suppliers and is believed to be close to concluding a deal with a car maker.

PHH currently uses a total network of 12,000 maintenance suppliers - including fast-fit and mobile outlets - although the majority of work is carried out by a core of 1,200 preferred suppliers, who will be the first to move to the TransLease system. The majority of these key suppliers are expected to be live on the system by the end of this year.