RENAULT UK has created a new position to handle all its rental business and supply arrangements. The appointment of Kim Baxter as national rental manager allows Peter Bull to concentrate on the contract hire side of the company.

His job title at Renault UK changes from national contract hire and rental manager to national contract hire and leasing manager. The moves come at a time when many manufacturers are warning there is no more financial support available to subsidise rental companies trying to increase their margins and return to decent profitability. Baxter was previously UK fleet director for SIXT Rent-a-Car.

Renault UK says it has become necessary to split the rental and contract hire positions to cope with the speed of growth in fleet business. Fleet business is up 83% in four years from 43,434 (5.1% of the fleet sector) in 1994 to 79,624 (7.8%) in 1997. Renault expects to take 9.1% of the fleet sector, ahead of Rover for the first time.