LEX Vehicle Leasing has launched a new telephone operation dedicated to providing small fleets with a vehicle acquisition and management service. Lex Direct provides cars and vans on contract hire or contract purchase to small businesses, and can also offer a range of nearly-new cars and vans on contract hire.

Lex Direct has set up a dedicated telephone centre in Marlow, with staff able to provide instant quotes over the phone, fax or by e-mail. In the next few months the operation will be expanded to LVL's Manchester offices.

Robert Wastell, the newly-appointed director of Lex Direct, said: 'According to our research, small businesses wanted an easy, simple service, and said they were happy to deal direct over the phone. Often, the managing director deals with company vehicles in a small business, and they want fast, efficient service that is easy to understand, and that provides value for money. Lex Direct provides all these things and so far we have had an excellent response from small businesses.'