LEASE PLAN is continuing its ambitious drive into e-commerce in a new venture with the UK's leading internet portal - Freeserve. The rapidly expanding fleet management company has signed a deal to dispose of its ex-lease vehicles via Freeserve's online auction pages – FSauctions.

Lease Plan currently disposes of around 20,000 vehicles a year and the Freeserve deal delivers a potential audience of some 3 million unique users. Its auction pages offer around 25,000 items for a sale a day, with a variety of bidding mechanisms on offer to buyers. Other partners include PC World, Thistle Hotels and Airtours.

Lease Plan's head of marketing Jianni Geras said: 'This new venture opens up an interesting new avenue for disposing of our ex-lease vehicles. We have seen a significant increase in the number of transactions conducted via the Lease Plan online section of our website, which allows drivers the option to purchase ex-lease vehicles from Lease Plan. This association with Freeserve will help take our e-commerce strategy to the next level.'

FSauctions business development director Simon Danciger said: 'This partnership has the reach and credibility to drive online vehicle purchase. Together, the Freeserve audience, Lease Plan's inventory and the strength of our respective brands create a powerful customer proposition.'

• To access the FSauctions site click on the Buyers' guide menu button (left) and go to the Vehicle location systems section.