A YEAR of aggressive expansion in the fight for more fleet business is on the agenda for the world's largest fleet management company which operates almost one million vehicles globally. Rick Smith, president and chief executive officer of GE Capital Fleet Services, said the company was looking to expand in Europe.

He did not rule out further buy-outs in the UK, although he would not be drawn on whether one of the targets was up-for-sale Arriva Automotive Solutions - which is rumoured to be a major target for the Halifax. Smith added: 'We are going to invest significantly. We are number one in the industry and we are looking to enhance that position.'

He was speaking following a 24-hour flying UK visit during which he made a worldwide broadcast to staff on company performance and announced that GE Capital Fleet Services would continue to fight to protect and build on its customer base. He also added more weight to predictions that the leasing market would see further consolidation in the near future as the major players expanded through acquisition.