CORPORATE sales by Volvo are expected to surge ahead across world markets in future - thanks to a little help from Britain. Expertise gained in the British fleet market is poised to play a significant role in the growth of the company, Volvo UK managing director Gerry Keaney told Fleet NewsNet at the Geneva Motor Show.

'Britain is still the world's most sophisticated corporate market and the transfer of some of our practices will make a key difference as we work to expand as part of the Ford Premier Automotive Group,' said Keaney, who has been appointed to oversee the Swedish firm's international fleet sales division. 'My aim is to win major international accounts from companies with a global presence, managing daily rental and short-term rental strategy and developing the right level of competence in our fleet activities.'

Added Keaney: 'Volvo now has the opportunity to leverage Ford's existing presence on many big accounts that might have had just single or two-badge deals in the past. By going along with Ford, we can complement their offer. We won an extra 700 corporate sales in the UK last year as a result of this approach and are anticipating 35% growth this year in a market that will not expand by a significant amount.'

Volvo UK sold a total of more than 37,000 cars last year to win a 1.6% share of the market.