LEASE Plan has fought off stiff competition from 10 other leasing companies to win a sole supply contract with Freemans. The mail order firm is abandoning its solus Rover deal for its 260-strong fleet in favour of a wide range of models from BMW and Vauxhall.

Freemans used Rovers because of a tie-up through its previous owner Sears. But now Freemans has been acquired by German-based Otto Versand, the world's largest mail order company, the UK subsidiary has been free to make its own choice of vehicle supply. Lease Plan will provide a number of services, including its newly-launched internet-based Lease Plan On-Line which will provide a broad range of instantaneous information, together with all fleet administrative tasks and advanced reporting. Freemans will also take LPAssist, Lease Plan's roadside recovery service and Service Direct, the one-stop reservation system for servicing and maintenance.