REG Vardy has announced plans to become a major player in the corporate fleet market with the launch of Vardy Group Fleet.

Based in Sunderland, the company will supply vehicles to the daily rental, bodyshop and courtesy car market, contract hire companies, insurance company total loss replacements and to outright purchase customers.

It will work independently but is complementary to its contract hire and leasing division, Vardy Contract Motoring.

Vardy Group Fleet aims to supply more than 15,000 vehicles in its first year and clients include daily rental giant Hertz, Bellway Homes, Hanson and Royal Sun Alliance. The Vardy Group Fleet team is headed by David Jewell and consists of business managers, customer services advisers and administration staff. Jewell was previously head of the Arriva fleet business operation.

Once staff have received an order they select the nearest Reg Vardy dealership to supply the vehicles.

Jewell said 'We believe our customers will require nationwide, multi-franchise coverage and are delighted to match these requirements with outstanding service levels co-ordinated from a centralised base. We really can make fleet operations very simple for companies.'