VOLKSWAGEN Financial Services has changed its business strategy to focus on brands within the VW Group rather than maintaining its 'all makes' approach. The company says that the move is in response to 'current difficult market conditions', in particular the pressure on new car prices.

Philip Wood, newly-appointed channel development manager, said: 'If new business comes in from our existing retail network we won't turn it away. But the aim now is to focus sales and marketing operations into a number of core activities, allowing VWFS to better support both the group brands in retail customer marketing campaigns and in corporate customer business activities.'

International Fleet Management, a division within VWFS which offers management services in most European countries, will also concentrate on Volkswagen, SEAT, Audi and Skoda users. These account for 90% of VWFS's business and 75% of IFM's. The altered focus has been accompanied by changes in VWFS's sales and marketing operations, which has seen the creation of a marketing and strategic development department incorporating VWFS's marketing, business planning and product development activities.

Wood will spearhead e-commerce developments and Simon Page has been appointed as general manager, marketing and strategic development.