PHILLIPS International Auctioneers looks set to source part of its 140-strong contract hire fleet from the continent after a cost analysis by its fleet management supplier Fleet Technique revealed savings of several thousand pounds, despite 'generous' financial offers from UK manufacturers. Fleet Technique, which has only recently won the contract to manage Phillips' fleet - previously run in-house - believes European sourcing will remain a viable option as long as current car pricing disparities exist between UK and European countries.

It will acquire the vehicles through sources in Holland and Belgium, and expects to replace a quarter of the Phillips' fleet in the next 12 months. Fleet Technique managing director Robert Hodds said: 'Although certain manufacturers were offering substantial levels of monetary support, European sourcing still offered indisputable reductions in capital costs when like-for-like cost comparisons were drawn. Married to our expertise in maintenance management and vehicle disposal methods, Phillips is convinced the wholelife cost of its fleet will be dramatically reduced.'

Phillips will replace its fleet of Volvo estates with Volkswagen Passats and its Citroen ZXs with Ford Focus models, each car clocking up an annual 35,000 miles on average, transporting antiquities across Europe. The auctioneer will fund the vehicles on contract hire, hire purchase, lease purchase or outright purchase. The cost analysis by Fleet Technique showed that Phillips could make a capital cost saving of between £2,000 and £3,000 on a Focus estate, taking into account financial support from UK dealers.