Mercedes-Benz hits fleet No1 in the premium sector as it prepares for a busy model launch over the next 18 months.

In terms of fleet sales, what are your expectations for the rest of 2015?

Sally Dennis, Mercedes-Benz head of fleet: “We have been number one in fleet and business for premium brands since March and we want to maintain that position. We are on plan but we won’t be complacent.”

Are you introducing, or have you recently introduced, any new initiatives for fleets?

Sally Dennis: We are making sure the breadth of our range is available to fleets. So we are supporting the retail network with extra demonstrators and business knowledge to help fleets make their choice.”

Nick Andrews, Mercedes-Benz fleet and remarketing director: “We have gone from seven strategy account managers to 11. Fleets want direct contact with the manufacturer. We have seen success on the back of this team.”

What new fleet models are you due to launch this year?

Sally Dennis: “We have the CLA Shooting Brake and GLA which is our first foray into small SUVs – it gives us a range of choice in compact cars. We will also launch the GLC, a Q5/X3 rival that we have never had before. It will attract new customers that haven’t touched a Mercedes-Benz before. We also have more hybrids coming. We are on a CO2 journey – plug-in is part of our future strategy. On all new models our objective is to have a hybrid in the line-up. We currently have sub 30 models; by the end of next year we will have 40-plus.”

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