TNT UK and Eire is taking up to £2 million worth of Rover 75s on to its fleet in one of the biggest orders for Rover's make-or-break vehicle yet. Rover Corporate Finance, part of BMW's multi-marque leasing division Alphabet (GB), clinched the deal to replace a fleet of 100 Rover 600s and 800s as part of an all-Rover fleet.

About 60 will be delivered in the first year of the deal, which replaces vehicles supplied by British Car Contracts, which still remains a supplier elsewhere on the fleet, along with Lease Plan. Replacement cycles are likely to be three years/90,000 miles, but could extend to four years because of increased reliability. Most models will be 2.0-litre CLUB SE CDT models, which retail at £20,000 and will be supplied on non-maintenance contracts.

RCF estimated residual values of 48% on the 75 over three years, 10% above CAP Monitor - Future Residual Value estimates. But Simon Boggis, group fleet procurement manager, who is responsible for 7,000 vehicles, including 1,500 company cars, said: 'We did not simply buy on price because any contact hire company would have matched the quotes. We were very impressed with Rover's commitment to the product. This car represents a real step forward for Rover and it is the best-received model we have had.' Alphabet's divisional managing director Mike Baldry said: 'This is a significant agreement for us.'