SKODA is to unveil a series of fleet initiatives next month in a bid to break into the UK company car market. Following the unveiling of the new Skoda Octavia at the Fleet Motor Show earlier this year, where fleet managers were able to drive the car for the first time, the Milton Keynes-based importer says it has been inundated with fleet business.

The Octavia hatchback will not go on sale in the UK until summer next year, but as a result of the show, Skoda fleet bosses say company demand has been high for the Felicia, particularly diesel models which were launched just four months ago. Skoda has 230 dealers in the UK and is looking for a further 20. At next month's annual dealer conference a number of initiatives will be unveiled designed to win fleet business.

Adrian Millar, fleet manager north, and Derek Fallows, fleet manager south, have been charged with securing fleet sales. Millar said: 'Some of our dealers will become fleet specialists. We will be announcing a number of initiatives next month.' Skoda is targeting companies operating five to 25 vehicles and user-choosers and claims significant interest in the upper medium sector Octavia from fleets.