EARLY indicator figures from the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that in the business sector, demand for new business car finance bounced back in December, up a healthy 22% compared with the same month the previous year.

During the whole of 2002, demand for business cars increased 4% by value and 2% by volume. FLA director general Martin Hall, said: 'Business cars appear to be on a bit of a roller coaster, up, down and now up again. We must hope that this month's increase is a sign of renewed business confidence and not, as we feared last month, merely deferred replacement of vehicles.'