MITSUBISHI has renewed its commitment to fleet following its alliance with DaimlerChrysler, which it says will have no effect on its UK sales and distribution operations. Following the acquisition of 34% of the Japanese company by DaimlerChrysler, which is expected to be formally signed next month, the manufacturers are to jointly develop new ranges of small cars, light commercial vehicles and pick-ups.

But Mitsubishi says business will continue as normal, despite management reforms at the Japanese end of the business and the appointment of new UK managing director Jim Tyrrell, who is expected join the company on May 22. Mitsubishi admitted it pulled back from fleet in 1998 after the company made a loss for the first time in the UK, which was followed last year by job losses.