HYUNDAI will be making a bid for more fleet business with the new Sonata when it goes on sale in January 2002. The car is being pitched at rivals in the heart of the fleet sector, including the Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna, Volkswagen Passat and Citroen C5, but Hyundai expects to offer more equipment for fleets' money.

It uses the same platform as the previous Sonata, but is longer, wider and taller, and Hyundai promises more refinement through better sound insulation.

Meanwhile the Matrix compact MPV will hit showrooms in October with a choice of 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol engines as well as a 1.5-litre common rail diesel.