DAIHATSU has launched a London-based sales team, City Daihatsu. It has no dealership, nor showroom, but deals direct with customers in their own homes or offices. City Daihatsu, which operates within the M25, will handle retail customers and business users with fleets of up to around 15 vehicles.

The team of consultants - salaried rather than on commission - can respond to requests for test drives and information and appointments can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Equipped with laptop computers, the consultants are able to handle inquiries on everything from finance options to vehicle specification.

Daihatsu (UK) chief executive Paul Williams said: 'These days it isn't good enough to simply do things a little better than before. To keep ahead of the competition, and to win and keep customers, you have to be ahead of the game and prepared to do things differently. We have tried to learn from the latest direct marketing techniques, the success and growing importance of mail order and the current consumer demands, and our research shows we are on the right track.'