AUGUST'S VAT rule changes triggered a £2.25 million sale and leaseback deal between vehicle management services company Dial and cash and carry group Nurdin & Peacock.

It involves 250 cars run by N & P's head office, branch managers and sales reps. As part of the deal N & P is starting to replace the fleet. The first tranche of 25 will be brought in soon. Another 120 cars were on old contract hire arrangements and around half have already been replaced, said Steve Cox, major corporate sales manager at Dial.