Toyota's view of the year ahead for fleet sales:

"We expect fleet sales to be broadly flat as the general market recovery takes time to feed through into sustained business confidence.

"We are positive about forward orders as we are seeing particularly strong demand for the new generation Prius, its low CO2 (89g/km), zero road tax and 10% BIK personal tax is proving very popular among fleets.

"Moreover, following this in Q3 2010 will be Auris Hybrid offering similar green credentials.

"We expect a strong performance to leasing companies and end-user fleets because of our strong product offering to corporate and business users, with low running costs coupled with low taxation benefits.

"Orders are already rising strongly for the early part of the year where companies and business users have delayed changes in the difficult economic conditions experienced in the early part of 09.

"Within the rental segment we expect a continued shortage of stock as manufacturers have generally withdrawn from high cost short-cyle business, so this means demand will be strong in this sector where product is made available.

"Large fleets will be first back to market - as they have particularly delayed their buying cycles and through necessity will have to return to the market because vehicles are ageing and mileages are high - also contracts have already been extended to their maximum in many cases.

"Business users have been delaying their change cycles and 2010 will see a number of companies face their fourth year on contract.

"Fleet managers are therefore faced with increasing their maintenance costs and further reducing their residual values so we would predict more companies will take the decision to replace vehicles."