EUROPCAR has ordered 1,000 Megane Scenics from Renault in a deal worth £10 million at showroom prices. The deal involves 1.6 manual and 2.0 automatic versions of the Scenic and makes Europcar the only major international rental company to feature the model on its fleet.

The cars will be operated on five- to eight-month cycles covering 10,000-16,000 miles before Renault UK buys them back and remarkets them through its franchised dealer network. Europcar is targeting 30,000 potential customers with a special two-for-one weekend promotion where they can enjoy two days' hire for the price of one at £49, including unlimited mileage, third party cover, damage waiver, theft waiver and VAT.

Renault's leasing and rental manager Peter Bull said: 'We are not concerned about this deal affecting Scenic residuals because we will control the disposals process through our own dealer network. Demand for new Scenics is extremely buoyant and we expect the car to be equally sought-after when it becomes available on the used market.'