USED vehicle leasing could account for nearly a third of the Lex Vehicle Leasing fleet in two years as the firm pushes to persuade fleet managers to rethink their company car acquisition policies. A focus on potential areas of growth has highlighted used car leasing as a minefield of new contracts that is under-exploited because fleet managers do not understand the benefits.

Gary Jennison, director of LVL's business to business division, said: 'Leasing costs for customers are much lower for nearly-new vehicles. Yet some have only 100 miles on the clock - they even smell new. Such opportunities for customers to put their drivers in a better car for the same money are incredible, I am surprised more people have not signed up. 10% of deliveries this year are expected to be nearly-new vehicles, I am surprised it is not more like 40-50%.

'There is no strategic reason for this - we will give customers what they want at the best price - but nearly new vehicles offer major lease cost savings compared to new cars. I would expect the fleet to reach 30,000 in two years. Company car policies often insist on a new car, but we are talking to fleets about rethinking their policies.'