LOW running costs have helped Mitsubishi clinch its biggest yet deal in corporate motoring. But a woman's touch was also significant in winning the supply contract worth more than £8 million, it was claimed at the Fleet Motor Show.

Transaction Television, a new interactive digital satellite service set up by former Infocheck Equifax chairman the Hon David Clark, signed up for 550 Carismas after sales executive Deborah Macey proved that savings in fuel were sufficient to cover fleet insurance costs.

'It was a convincing argument on the basis of just one car, but when we multiplied the savings by 550, it added up to rather a lot of money - certainly too much to ignore,' he said. 'In addition, we like the look of the cars as well as being impressed by their reliability. We think they will help us recruit the calibre of staff we need.'

Macey, corporate sales manager at Autotechs of Canterbury, a Mitsubishi corporate dealership, said she had calculated that each Carisma would save the new Kent-based company £320 per year over 20,000 miles on fuel alone.