DAIHATSU is claiming its new '333' offer, working in tandem with fleet management company Overdrive, will substantially cut the cost and reduce the risk of running commercial vehicles.

Operators of commercial vehicles will be able to get 36,000 miles of free maintenance over three years, with 60,000-mile warranties and three years' roadside assistance following the tie-up with Overdrive.

Due to the heavy logistical load of its '333' offer, Daihatsu had to bring in outside help to monitor and authorise routine maintenance, and process invoices for the 90-strong dealer network. Roy Marshall, operations director for Daihatsu, said: 'We formed this new scheme with Overdrive to offer our drivers a unique package of benefits. We simply do not have the infrastructure to handle such an ambitious project alone.

'In effect, Overdrive will be managing the whole dealer end of the programme. From an internal point of view, it means we only receive one commercial vehicle invoice each month, rather than thousands, significantly reducing our administrative burden.'

More than 1,000 vehicles have been signed up to the scheme, and according to Daihatsu '333' is proving particularly popular with small fleets which can confidently budget for the first three years of a vehicle's life through the fixed costs.