A surge in interest from the corporate sector has put Peugeot in line to increase fleet sales this year despite the economic downturn.

Groundbreaking hybrid technology and new model introductions are set to drive business registrations beyond the total of 54,720 cars achieved in 2011 by a significant margin, claims fleet and used vehicle operations director Phil Robson.

“Our sales will rise even though we will follow our 50% cut in daily rental business last year with another 10% reduction this year,” he told Fleet News.

“We have been surprised by the level of interest shown in our products so far in 2012 – the surge is across all sectors and I think it shows the progress we’re making in changing the perception that fleets have about our brand.”

Robson said the change of strategy over fast-churn business was already having a big impact on limiting forecourt supplies of nearly-new vehicles.

“Last January, we sold 3,000 used cars through our network and this month the total will be no more than 1,600. That’s a huge drop in the number of vehicles being pumped back into the market and the result is an improvement in residual values.

“Our fleet share reached 5.37% last year compared with 6.19% in 2010 but when the market is so volatile, I think our business is no longer just about share. We’re committed to keeping to our strategy to reduce our number of fast-churn vehicles and reaching our financial objectives,” he said.

Robson claimed the new 3008 Hybrid4’s 10% BIK rating and £90 per month cost for a 40% taxpayer made it the ultimate no-compromise corporate vehicle and predicted the fleet market would account for 85% of registrations.

By Maurice Glover

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