RESULTS from a secret Fleet Show survey are helping Honda line up a new bid for a greater share of the company car market. Executives from the Japanese firm mounted a clandestine operation at the Birmingham event as part of a major research programme involving the next-generation Accord range.

Fleet NewsNet understands that more than 50 influential fleet buyers were approached and asked to view a D-segment concept car behind closed doors at the NEC complex. After each viewing session, requests for comments and opinions were sought. Honda UK fleet sales chief Nicholas Phillips admitted: 'This was part of work we're carrying out in advance of the 2003 model-year Accord. When planning to launch a completely new range into such an important sector, you need to start gathering information at least two years in advance.'

Honda UK arranged for a Japanese-market Avancier estate car to be used at the NEC. Phillips said: 'We showed a luxury estate merely as a start-point in our discussions. It has a combination of performance, space and style that is of interest to us and we wanted to gauge fleet reaction.'