MITSUBISHI was this week launching its new used car programme, Red Zebra, which it says will further strengthen residual values and so reduce wholelife costs for fleet customers. New fleet boss Matthew Cheyne, general manager - fleet and used cars - said: ''The launch of the scheme will see customers buying second-hand cars from our franchises - which do not even need to be Mitsubishi vehicles - receiving the same level of service and after-service as our new car buyers.

'We are determined the Red Zebra brand will represent a quality image. By increasing demand for our used vehicles, we also strengthen residual values - and, in the fleet market, this means more peace of mind for managers disposing of vehicles in three years time. It will also mean lower running costs and therefore contract hire rates.'

Cheyne says a key aspect of the scheme is an internet development that means all Mitsubishi used cars can be viewed over the web. 'No longer do people have to spend hours walking around dealerships. Once the right car at the right price is found, it can be ordered and, no matter where in the country it is, the car will be delivered to the customer's local Mitsubishi dealership.