LEASING firm Fleetlease has changed its name to Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions to reflect the firm's growing role in the fleet industry.

The new name is part of a programme to consolidate all the trading divisions of the parent company, Hitachi Credit (UK), under one collective brand – Hitachi Capital (UK).

Simon Oliphant, managing director of the renamed firm, said: 'We are no longer just a leasing company. We provide a range of corporate and driver services and our new name reflects this diversity. The Fleetlease name no longer encapsulates our range of services. The use of the Hitachi name gives Fleetlease access to an instantly recognisable brand and will help facilitate growth into new markets.'

From a group perspective, the move also helps clarify the trading activities of the various Hitachi Capital businesses.

Oliphant added: 'We feel that unifying all the Hitachi Capital businesses under one brand will better enable us to offer customers the combined knowledge, expertise and resources of the group.'

Other members of the Hitachi Capital group include Hitachi Capital Business Finance, Hitachi Capital Consumer Finance, Hitachi Capital Insurance Ltd, Hitachi Capital Re-insurance Ltd and Hitachi Capital Credit Management Ltd.

Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions provides a range of vehicle management solutions for organisations and individuals. It operates a fleet of more than 25,000 vehicles and is based in Newbury, Berkshire.