Mazda increases contract hire focus

Mazda is increasing its contract hire focus after restructuring its corporate sales department in a bid to further expand business with Britain’s leading vehicle leasing companies.

A three-strong leasing sector team led by newly appointed National Contract Hire and Rental Manager Steve Tomlinson has been formed within the now 14-strong corporate sales department headed by Fleet and Remarketing Director James Hopkins.

2006 Fleet volumes reached an all-time high of 19,391 out of total UK sales of 50,166. In 2007, while corporate sales will remain at around 35-40 per cent of total registrations, overall Mazda registrations are predicted to increase to around 51,400.

Mr Tomlinson, who began the role on 1 July is supported by Jason Jenkins in the new job of National Key Account, Rental and Broker Manager, and Andreas Welham, who becomes National Contract Hire Development Manager.

Strengthening relations with Britain’s top major contract hire and leasing companies and industry influencers, such as price guides CAP and Glass’s Guide, will be the key role of Mr Tomlinson, who has worked for Mazda for four years and will report directly to Mr Hopkins. Meanwhile, Mr Jenkins, who has worked for Mazda for five years will have three key focuses.

Firstly, Mr Jenkins will be Mazda’s direct link to their major end-user fleet customers, which are all FTSE100 companies; secondly he will expand business relations with leading rental companies although Mazda has no plans to increase sales into the car rental sector; and thirdly he will build relations with key vehicle leasing brokers.

Mr Welham will be responsible for business partnerships with contract hire and leasing companies outside the major operators.

Jeff Edgar, who was previously National Contract Hire and Rental manager, heads up a newly established vehicle remarketing department as Used Car Sales and Remarketing Manager reporting to Mr Hopkins.

Explaining the reorganisation and newly created posts, Mr Hopkins said: “One person previously dealt with the entire leasing and rental sector including the wholelife cost providers. That was far too big a job for a single employee so I have created a new structure that reallocates responsibilities and will enable Mazda to work much more closely with the contract hire and leasing sector.

Significantly more than half of all company cars in the UK are leased and Mr Hopkins said: “The new structure will enable Mazda to work much more closely with end-user fleets who lease their company cars, contract hire companies and residual value and wholelife cost influencers.

“As Britain’s fastest growing brand over the last five years Mazda has already established a reputation for innovative vehicles matched by class-leading running costs. As a result of our new structure we aim to further grow our business in the fleet sector.”