Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s Overseas star Jeetan Patel has taken delivery of a brand new Volvo V40 after the Club signed Volvo Car UK to supply its 25-strong vehicle fleet.

The New Zealand off-spinner is the first Bears player to benefit from the supply deal with the arrival of the new top-of-the-range V40 D3 R Design Geartronic at Edgbaston. His wife will shortly take delivery of a new XC60, Volvo’s premium compact SUV.

Under the agreement, negotiated by Bewdley-based Affinity Leasing, with cars supplied by local dealership Paul Rigby Volvo in Birmingham, Warwickshire CCC players can choose from a range of V40, V40 Cross Country and XC60 petrol and diesel models to support them in their County Championship, T20 and Royal London One Day Cup campaigns in 2014 and beyond.

By the close of the summer season, the team is expected to rack up a collective 100,000 miles.

Gareth Roberts, Warwickshire CCC’s commercial director, said: “We were impressed with the extremely competitive preferential terms Volvo was able to offer, and after extensive demonstrations and test drives, the players agreed that the Volvo range offered the best balance of drivability, specification and comfort. Our players spend a lot of time on the road and need to arrive at matches feeling refreshed and ready to give their best on the pitch.”

Rigby said: “We are delighted to be supplying Warwickshire CCC with Volvos, and having high profile cricketers driving our product will give Volvo the brand exposure it deserves. Our product is desirable as well as safe, but at the same time full of driver-focused technology making it an exciting car to drive. We look forward to giving the Club and players excellent service and support as their summer campaign gets into full swing.”  

Michelle Howles, marketing director for Affinity Leasing, added: “It’s a real honour to partner with Warwickshire CCC to provide vehicles on finance to suit Bears players’ needs. Volvo was an instant choice because of its broad range of premium cars and fantastic build quality. Volvo’s responsiveness and positive attitude makes it a great company to do business with.”