FLEETS are being offered a chance to take advantage of cheaper new car prices on the continent. Suffolk-based Christchurch Asset Finance has launched a new funding initiative, contract hire on imported cars, and claims that on a mid-range vehicle - which costs £2,000 to £3,000 less overseas than in the UK - customers can save between £50/80 per month over a three-year contract term.

Nick Garnett, of Christchurch, said: 'Vehicle funding companies tend to steer clear of providing contract hire on imported cars due to the uncertainty of predicting residual values. In our experience with parallel imports or cars from Europe featuring exact UK spec, however, there is no significant impact as long as the vehicle is maintained within the main dealer network.'

The cars are imported from the EU, the company can supply any make or model requested and, at the end of contract, the vehicles will be sold at auction. Christchurch has been operating for a year and has a total of 300 UK-sourced cars operating through lease purchase, PCP and contract hire.