A CAMPAIGN to turn scores of old Skoda jokes into a sales advantage will get under way when the Fleet Motor Show opens on Tuesday (April 29). For the premium Silverstone business event is to be used by the revitalised Czech company's British importer to lay the foundations of a new marketing strategy aimed at paving the way for the arrival of its upmarket medium-size model range.

Skoda UK is arranging to transport seven Octavia hatchbacks from its counterpart in Switzerland so fleet buyers will be able to get behind the wheel more than 12 months before the car is available in the UK. It will be the first time the Octavia is driven on UK roads.

And it is also backing a series of workshop sessions at the Show which will deal with key issues facing small fleet operators. A panel of fleet experts will be available in the seminar centre from 10am-4pm next Thursday and Friday.