Accord boosts Honda fleet sales

Honda (UK) has announced an impressive 26 per cent increase in fleet sales over the first three months of this year, helped by the resurgence of Accord in the sector. Corporate sales of Honda’s premium saloon are up by 68 per cent to 2,202 units.

Honda’s corporate customer base has also grown, with the leaner, cleaner new CR-V attracting new fleet business – 1,615 units have been sold so far this year – up 10 per cent. Civic Hybrid has also stormed the sales tables in March and April, Honda selling a third more of the ‘green’ cars than in 2006, a trend that looks set to continue through the year.

To top it off, Sewells’ recent Fleet Operator Attitude Survey has also provided another feather in the corporate cap, ranking Honda as the number one manufacturer for the effectiveness of its fleet support programme.

Harvey Hughes, Manager – Corporate Operations, said: “We have a fabulous model line up perfectly suited to meet the needs of the fleet market. As well as appealing to user choosers, our models offer low CO 2 emissions and exceptional residual values which make the perfect mix for a company car.”

He added: “We also have Civic Hybrid which has been a great success since its launch in 2006. Fleet managers are under increasing pressure to provide more environmentally friendly options and our hybrid ticks all the boxes.”

Following a recent reshuffle within Sales at Honda (UK), all aspects of sales operations, including Honda’s fleet sales, now report into Bernard Bradley, who was recently appointed Head of Sales Operations.

“This year is a massive year for Honda hybrids,” said Bradley. “By the end of 2007, we’ll have sold five times as many Civic Hybrids as in 2006. The technology is really taking off – especially in the fleet sector, where businesses want to be seen to be green.

“Maintaining our already excellent fleet support programme is also crucial, which along with a full range of models powered by our award-winning diesel engine, has helped us continue to increase our corporate market share.”