VOLKSWAGEN is to launch a multi-marque leasing and fleet management company which is expected to start trading next month. The new company - International Fleet Management - will report to Volkswagen Financial Services AG in Germany, and is not part of the Volkswagen group in the UK.

The concept was scheduled for launch for July last year, but now the plans are expected to reach fruition by this year's Fleet Motor Show due to be held at Silverstone from April 29-May 2.

Volkswagen Financial Services AG has a European leasing portfolio of over half a million contracts, and there will be a pan European shape to International Fleet Management with operations in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic where the company already has its own finance facilities.