LEASING company ALD Automotive has expanded its European operation by opening offices in Switzerland.

The company has also signed an agreement with Business Partner, Ford Financial Switzerland's leasing arm, on a new outsourcing contract.

Under the agreement, ALD Automotive has successfully won the contract to support Ford, Volvo and Mazda by providing operational leases through their dealer networks in Switzerland.

Ford Financial will continue the role of sales and marketing for Business Partner while ALD Automotive will provide an operational lease infrastructure to Ford Motor Company's brands. ALD will also fund and manage the existing 1,300 Business Partner fleet.

The expansion means ALD has operations in 22 countries.