FAST-CYCLE fleets are to be the prime target of a key new service designed to keep vehicles on the road. Network Group, the management services company, has launched Key Issues to provide a master key replacement service which the company claims will outperform manufacturers both on price and speed of response.

Key Issues is guaranteeing next day delivery of a master key at a price below the manufacturers' thanks to new computer technology which stores all the data for the replication of vehicle keys and their transponders. Robin Goudge, Key Issues' sales director, said: 'The daily rental market is having huge problems with master keys disappearing, particularly at airports where people are dashing for their plane and may forget the key in their pocket. 'This service should bring an end to that. And by promising to deliver next day we are reducing a further cost of vehicle downtime. Manufacturers can take up to four weeks to deliver a new master key.'