HONDA is undertaking its largest yet fleet demonstration programme with the launch of the all-new Civic. A fleet of 200 Swindon-built Civic five-door models has been launched by the manufacturer, with the vehicles being loaned to existing and prospective business customers for month-long trials.

The new Civic, with its 'tardis-like' space and dashboard-mounted gear level, went on sale in the UK this week with a choice of 1.4i and 1.6i petrol engines and three trim levels with prices starting at £11,995.

Hopes are high that with a combination of new Civic and revised Accord, Honda sales in the UK will top 80,000 units this year from around 70,000 last year, with about half the sales going to corporate customers.

Major fleets have driven the five-door 1.6 SE, which is expected to be the most popular model accounting for 25% of UK sales.

Head of corporate sales Nicholas Phillips said: 'A broad range of our fleet customers have had an opportunity to drive the Civic and their reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.'

In March an American-built coupe version of the new Civic will go on sale in the UK, followed by three-door versions and a Type-R in October, both of which will be Swindon built. Also entering showrooms now are revised Accords and they will be joined in March by the 1.8i Accord Sport.