MID-market power players are a new force in car leasing that will threaten the dominance of larger rivals, a contract hire chief has forecast. Speaking at the Leasing Life conference, CitiCapital Fleet managing director Colin Tourick, claimed 'the big boys could be getting too big.'

He said: 'We hear that these organisations are becoming more and more remote from their clients, who still want the personal touch.

'And the size of the mega-fleets does not translate into better buying power. We know we buy vehicles and services on terms that are comparable with the biggest fleets.

'Our cost of funds - a key element of our rentals - is as low as any of the mega-fleets, so our rentals are at least as competitive as theirs.'

Tourick said this level playing field placed CitiCapital Fleet and around nine other, similarly capable mid-size leasing companies, in a strong position.