MASTERDRIVE Contract Hire and Leasing has set up a dedicated car hire operation. Masterdrive Vehicle Rental is a hybrid, running its own largely prestige fleet and contracting in vehicles from other hire companies to satisfy volume demand for mainstream models.

Richard Zacharzewski, Masterdrive's director - new business development, said: 'The concept is to exploit as many profit opportunities as possible. The biggest in terms of fleet size is not always best, and you can earn more money out of complementary business to the core.' He added that the key element in such ventures was not to 'dabble', but to commit to them wholeheartedly.

The lion's share of MVR's business is sourcing replacement cars for Masterdrive Contract Hire's customers, for whom it makes between 500 and 700 reservations per week largely through its three preferred suppliers, Alamo, Europcar and Kenning Car, Van & Truck Rental.