VAUXHALL has slashed servicing costs for fleets belonging to the manufacturer's Fleet Service Commitment Programme. Launched in 1998, the scheme is operated by 490 Vauxhall dealers nationwide with fixed cost pricing for all types of service work.

Nationwide, the dealer-based programme is broken down into four geographical areas with the London region the most expensive. Under the revamped scheme the cost of a main service for a 1.8 Vectra outside the Home Counties has been reduced from £109 to £106. Savings on a fleet of 100 1.6 Astras over three years/60,000 miles would be £800 following the price cuts.

In other parts of the country Vauxhall says main services on 1.8 and 2.0-litre Vectra 16v models now start at £92. Most of the major contract hire and leasing companies belong to the programme - Dial signed up earlier this month - and about 150 large fleets are also on the scheme. Through the programme, Vauxhall is trying to win back fleet service work it has lost to independent garages and fast-fits. Vauxhall says about 80% of all maintenance and service work is covered by the programme, which means fleets can budget for the work.