VAUXHALL was this week celebrating the 10th anniversary of its largest solus fleet deal with electrical company Thorn. The deal came into effect on September 1, 1987 when Vauxhall won the 3,000-vehicle contract from arch-rival Ford and simultaneously Thorn became one of the first fleets to change vehicles on an annual replacement cycle.

It was one of Vauxhall's first solus deals, and the Luton-based manufacturer has continued to build a portfolio of similar deals which now number more than any other car manufacturer. The Thorn solus deal was won by Vauxhall fleet director Mike Bonner, and at one stage the Thorn fleet numbered in excess of 10,000 vehicles. That number has dropped due to a significant restructuring of the Thorn business.

Thorn has played a key part in shaping Vauxhall's fleet strategy with current UK fleet chief Anne Giberson being a member of Vauxhall's fleet panel. She was extensively consulted during the development phase of the new Astra and was one of the first people outside the GM organisation to see the new car in the flesh.