HONDA has set a nationwide fixed price servicing rate for companies leasing Civic five-door hatchbacks and Accord saloons through the UK's top leasing companies in a bid to cut operating costs. So far the package has been launched to the top ten leasing companies, including Lex Vehicle Leasing, Swan National, Hertz Leasing, Avis Fleet Services and PHH Vehicle Management Services, but it will be expanded to include the top 40 leasing firms by the end of the year.

A maximum £40 hourly uniform rate has been set and will be reviewed annually, in an attempt to drive down the operating costs of Honda's most popular user-chooser models.

The manufacturer is aiming to cut service, maintenance and repair costs by about 15% to equal or better SMR costs of Civic competitors such as the Volkswagen Golf, Peugeot 306 and Renault Megane and Accord rivals such as the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra and Audi A4. The company is also working on a tyre programme, details of which are yet to be revealed.