NORTHERN Ireland-based AI Services is to replace its 50-vehicle fleet with Skoda cars, making the agricultural firm Skoda's biggest fleet 'win' in the province.

The deal, which is worth more than £500,000 at showroom prices, has seen the firm take delivery of Skoda Octavia SDI hatchbacks for use by its field sales representatives.

The vehicles will be run on a three-year/100,000-mile with maintenance contract hire arrangement with Fleet Financial.

John Mulholland Motors in Randalstown, the largest Skoda dealership in Northern Ireland, will supply and maintain the vehicles.

Alan Pinder, Skoda business sales manager, said: 'AI Services is now the largest fleet customer for Skoda in Northern Ireland.'

Dr Sam Campbell, chief executive of AI Services, said: 'While Skoda was not normally the first manufacturer we thought of in fleet sales, the cost savings and the quality of the Octavia impressed us.'