VAUXHALL'S decision to build the new Vectra in the UK could strengthen the manufacturer's presence in the fleet market as companies look to back Britain. Vauxhall has admitted that following the announcement to end car manufacturing in Luton when production of the current Vectra finishes in March next year, a number of blue chip firms told the company they would review whether they would continue to operate Griffin-badged cars.

However, the decision that the Ellesmere Port plant would build the new Vectra alongside the Astra plus the continuation of Frontera production in Luton and the expansion of van production at its IBC subsidiary in the town could strengthen fleet business. Ian Coomber, executive director sales, marketing and customer care, told Fleet NewsNet: 'A lot of blue chip companies are major fleet customers. After the initial announcement a lot of them contacted us saying that if Vauxhall was quitting Britain they would review their purchasing decisions. We were able to reassure these companies that Vauxhall was not quitting Britain and significant vehicle production would remain in the UK.'

Last year Vectra was the best-selling upper medium car in the UK with sales totalling 70,704 - 7,000 down on 1999 levels - of which 58,038 were to fleets. In the fleet market the Ford Mondeo was the best-selling upper medium car with sales totalling 58,456 out of a total of 69,377.