FLEET buyers are being urged to give second looks to Kia cars as the company re-launches itself on the British market. Though it will be another three months before Kia Cars (UK) has formulated a structured programme for fleet sales, the Tunbridge Wells-based importer is inviting potential customers to ask for demonstration drives. 'This offer is open to every operator - we are not dictating a minimum fleet size in order to qualify,' said managing director Mark Quinn.

'Our price structure has been realigned to offer what we consider to be a really strong value-for-money proposition. The aim is to give the fleet market exactly what it wants. If our cars appeal to business users, as we think they will, we should have no problems in achieving 5,500 registrations this year and between 10,000 and 12,000 next year,' Quinn added.

Examples of the new Escort-sized Shuma hatchback, Mentor 2 saloon and Clarus, the South Korean firm's alternative to the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra, are being lined up for in-fleet trials this summer. Kia, now controlled by Hyundai and re-launched at the Geneva Motor Show, is processing applications from 40 prospective dealers and plans to increase its present total of 70 to 100 by the end of the year and to 140 by summer next year.