CAR buyers had their first chance to examine the new Honda Accord five-door at close quarters at the 1999 Fleet Show. Due to go on sale here in September, it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show but was 'untouchable' on a revolving platform.

It has been developed specifically for the UK fleet market because of the sales strength of hatchbacks in the upper medium sector where they account for 44% of D-sector cars compared to 30% for saloons.

Honda is positioning the five-door Accord as the only 'prestige' hatchback in its class, where only the low volume Saab 9-3 can lay claim to being a luxury hatchback and Nicholas Phillips, manager, corporate sales, says they expect to sell 5,000 this year and 16,000 in 2000.

Sales of the new four-door Accord are 44% up year-on-year for the first quarterr compared with its predecessor, and the five-door model is expected to carry only a very slight price premium over the saloon, with prices from £15,000 to £22,000.