GENERAL Motors has beaten off competition from numerous companies to be named European Supplier of the year by the giant Xerox organisation. The firm operates a 6,000-strong fleet across Europe with 2,000 cars in the UK, where Vauxhall is one of three preferred suppliers.

From the beginning of the current supply agreement in 1999, General Motors' share of the fleet has increased from 40% to 60% and, says the company, and is continuing to rise. In the UK, where Vauxhall's fleet share is more than 90%, a large component of the company car mix is Astra estates which are used by Xerox engineers.

The award was collected at Xerox's first suppliers' conference by Vauxhall's corporate sales director Mike Bonner, who focuses on European and global business. He said it represented a major triumph for the manufacturer.