PAN-European fleet business is set to spearhead a big new drive for additional sales by Nissan.

From next month, the Japanese company will fully co-ordinate fleet strategy across eight countries in a bid to boost its representation in the international business car sector.

Introduced as part of Nissan 180, the plan aimed at adding 100,000 units to Nissan's total sales in Europe by the end of the next financial year, the move will bring all fleet activities in Britain, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Italy, Austria and Switzerland under the control of Phil Henrick, currently Nissan Motor GB national account manager.

Henrick, a former area fleet manager and daily rental manager, will become Nissan Europe's first fleet manager on April 1. Based in Paris, he will have responsibility for the planning and development objectives of every country's fleet team.

He will also take charge of major account management, head up presentations of service and finance packages to key contacts, organise special international launch programmes for new models and try to enlarge the company's pan European fleet database.

'This is a dream job and something I've been recommending for some time. I'm excited about the prospects, but I also recognise this new post represents a huge personal challenge,' Henrick told Fleet News at the show.