THE fleet sector's ability to cope with change and meet its environmental challenges has come in for lavish praise from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the SMMT, described the fleet industry as 'brilliant' at taking on new issues and meeting new challenges. 'The fleet industry is more adept at dealing with change than any other sector of the motor industry,' he said.

And change is on the agenda, with Macgowan forecasting a future where increased crash protection, pedestrian protection, defensive driver training, and especially the environment feature on corporate 'to do' lists.

'There will be an environmental element to company financial reports, and businesses will want to position themselves differently to the past. The automotive industry has already started to report on its sustainability,' he said.