RAC Business Solutions has launched a new range of services directly targeted at smaller fleets and their company car drivers.

The new portfolio of services is called Select and expands the company's core roadside recovery and rescue offering to provide the sub-100 vehicle fleets with access to accident management services, fuel cards, windscreen repair and replacement, car hire and fleet software.

RAC Business Solutions claims Select gives smaller fleets access to large fleet buying terms, and has negotiated with suppliers to secure preferential rates that are lower than the fleets could obtain individually from the relevant suppliers.

The company will automatically migrate customers into the Select programme for no extra fee, and believes the wider portfolio can win it an incremental 2,000 small fleet customers by the end of the year, representing growth of at least 10%.

Research by RAC Business Solutions found that smaller fleet customers treat breakdown cover as 'just another insurance', and regard it as a commodity bought largely on price, with no significant differentiation in service quality between the RAC and the AA.

By offering more services RAC Business Solutions aims to change this perception and build relationships in the smaller fleet sector with the same success that it has achieved among large fleets and leasing companies.

The firm has drawn on its sister companies to deliver some of the Select services, using RAC Accident Services to handle vehicle repairs, RAC Auto Windscreens for glass repair, and RAC Software Solutions to deliver discounted fleet software.

It has also contracted with Overdrive Business Solutions to provide an RAC-branded fuel card, and with National Car Rental to secure discounted vehicle hire rates and automatic membership of National's Emerald Club for drivers.

Company car drivers whose vehicles are covered by Select also enjoy privileged access to a range of 13 services, including 15% discounts at Lex Autocentres, up to 18% discounts on RAC membership for other cars, 10% discounts for vehicle inspections, and discounts in all Moto service stations.

Chris Reynolds, marketing director of RAC Business Solutions, said Select had the facility to make fleet decision- makers 'heroes' in the eyes of their drivers by offering access to enhanced and discounted services.

'Select is a concept way beyond breakdown and we are going to target aggressively fleets with AA cover,' he said.