THE new Accord is providing victories in the fleet market war for Honda. Product planning manager Tom Gardner said that since its launch in October the sales to fleets had gone 'dramatically well'.

In January 1,600 Accords were sold, 80% of which went into fleets. This is a third up on the same month last year. And a company spokesman said that for the first time companies with fleets of 500 or more vehicles are coming to Honda to set up deals. Gardner said Honda was on target to exceed Accord sales expectations and the car's standing will be further enhanced by the introduction of the five-door in September and to be premiered at the Fleet Show at the NEC, Birmingham, on April 27-29.

Fleet sales are expected to be further boosted by the introduction of air conditioning as standard across the whole Honda range. The next big step for the manufacturer is the introduction of the three-door B-segment Logo due for launch in October which will initially be imported from Japan and then produced at Swindon.