NEW evidence that fleet replacement cycles are continuing to lengthen has emerged with publication of the Tolley Dial Survey of Company Car Schemes for 1996/97. The survey of 316 companies operating 56,622 vehicles reveals more than half the fleets who responded replace cars at 80,000 miles or more and over 44% retained vehicles for four years or more.

The report, written by Peter Cooke, director of the Centre for Automotive Management at Henley Management College, also finds a rise in the use of finance lease and open ended leasing, and that 49% of cars in the 100-249 fleet sector are financed using contract hire.

Direct dealing between fleets and manufacturers remains a key part of negotiations with 61% of fleets with 250-499 vehicles having had talks with manufacturers, but only 50% of those had resulted in direct arrangements. However, 72% of organisations with fleets of 500-plus have had discussions. The survey also finds that the majority of fleets surveyed consider the price of a vehicle when buying ahead of wholelife costs, residual values and perceived UK origin.