Honda launches five-door attack

A MASSIVE drive to win more business sales for Honda will get under way when the crucial new five-door Accord model is rolled out at next week's three-day Fleet Show. A 70% boost in corporate sales personnel has been agreed as part of a plan which calls for the Japanese company's UK marketing division to achieve a minimum 10% year-on-year growth in registrations.

Two leasing managers and 10 more corporate sales managers are being recruited to target the fleet sector during the four months between the car's show debut and September 1, when supplies are available in the showrooms. Corporate sales manager Nicholas Phillips said: 'We know there are 3,500 fleets which operate more than 100 units and 22,000 others running 25 or more vehicles. Larger fleets expect a direct interface with the manufacturer - and that is exactly what we aim to provide.'

Pricing of the new five-door model will be announced in June and demonstrators are expected to reach dealers in July, when a series of regional launch events for fleet managers and leasing companies is due to get under way.

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