LONDON-based courier company Challenger Group Holdings has taken delivery of the first of a 30-strong fleet of Mercedes-Benz A-class cars. The vehicles - worth £500,000 - will be delivered to Challenger over the next month and will form the company's luxury car fleet.

The mini-MPVs are being acquired on a full maintenance contract, which includes all servicing and repairs and a buy-back option. Challenger runs three top-line Mercedes-Benz vehicles - an SL, SLK and a C-class for its directors - and will shortly be adding another SL, the new M-class off-roader and a high performance E55 saloon to its executive fleet.