THE announcement of the AA deal with Centrica will focus all eyes on the final member of the 'big three' breakdown companies to go under the hammer - Green Flag. In just six months, a flurry of buying has changed the face of the breakdown market, with RAC Motoring Services the first to fall to Lex Service and now the AA following suit with its proposed sale to Centrica.

Green Flag's owner, Cendant, has made its intentions clear to sell the company as part of a move to concentrate on core businesses and has opened bidding for its breakdown services company. It is estimated that 30 firms have shown an interest. Ford is expected to be among the front-runners, having missed out on the sale of RAC Motoring Services and the AA and still without a breakdown organisation in its portfolio.

The end of the first round bidding process is expected next month.