THE efficiency of centrally negotiated contracts will see the fleet sector boom across Europe, according to Jean-Martin Folz, chairman of PSA Peugeot Citroen.

Speaking exclusively to Fleet News Europe, he revealed that both Peugeot and Citroen were creating sales teams to respond to international fleet opportunities.

'The fleet market is going to continue to increase in Europe because of the greater efficiency of organisations in buying vehicles and their ability to run them more efficiently than an individual,' said Folz. 'We must be able to provide a global response. It's essential that Peugeot and Citroen can respond to central tenders.' Satisfying the key customer demand for harmonised new car prices across Europe remains elusive, however, until governments harmonise their tax regimes, according to Folz. 'Pricing differences are not the bad habits of manufacturers, but just the consequences of tax. When we have a European single market for tax on car acquisition then European prices will be closer,' he said. (April 2000)