VOLKSWAGEN is bidding to establish itself as the fleet manager's company car tax friend with just six months to go to the introduction of new benefit-in-kind tax rules based on a combination of vehicle list price and carbon dioxide emissions.

The manufacturer is sending its 15,000-strong customer database a free copy of 'Tolley's Tax and the Business Car 2001-02' written by Alison Chapman, who heads the tax side of Deloitte & Touche's Automotive Sector Group.

Just published and costing £44.95 a copy, it contains full details of the 2002 tax regime as well as other tax matters relating to the supply of company vehicles.

Volkswagen head of fleet Vince Kinner said: 'Volkswagen is embracing company car issues and we want to establish ourselves as the fleet managers' tax friend and expert. The tax changes will not go away in April.

'Fleet managers and company car drivers will continually need to be aware of the new rules and their implications in the future and we want to be in a position to help them.'