PROTON is gearing up for an attack on the UK fleet market following the appointment of Dominic Spence as corporate sales manager. This year Proton expects to sell around 14,000 cars in the UK with around 30% going to fleets - mainly daily rental companies. Spence claims an increasing number of fleets are opting for Proton vehicles and expects Proton sales and fleet share to increase in the future.

Proton entered the fleet market with a ground-breaking 2,500-Persona deal with Avis Rent a Car in January and it has since signed further rental deals with Kenning Car & Van Rental and EuroDollar and expects to sign a contract with a fourth rental customer shortly.

Sales figures released this week show Proton completed a further tranche of rental business last month as the importer entered the best-selling fleet manufacturer sales charts last month at number nine with 832 fleet sales. While Proton dealers have the option to buy back some vehicles, the majority of cars will be shipped back to Malaysia to satisfy demand in the home market for used vehicles and, simultaneously, ensure residual values in the UK remain high.

Spence, who has been with Proton for more than eight years, has held a variety of jobs within the company and was latterly a regional manager before being promoted to head up the corporate sales operation. As fleet sales increase Spence expects to recruit further staff.