A GREATER understanding of local business requirements is expected to fuel an increase of more than 25% in SEAT fleet sales next year. More than half of the company's 110 dealers are now processing business sales and significantly higher numbers of dealer staff are due to attend special fleet programme courses in the next few months.

Other significant factors driving corporate sales up from this year's expected total of between 8,000 and 9,000 units are improved image and higher status of the brand plus the availability of new models.

The entry Vario SE will cost £11,995 on the road and will have a 75bhp, 1.6-litre engine. Its 100bhp stablemate, the SXE costing £13,000, will have a higher equipment level which includes a front passenger airbag, alarm, front fog lamps and power mirrors. Diesel versions will offer similar badging and equipment. Powered by the 1.9-litre 90bhp turbodiesel, they will cost £12,795 and £13,500.