Vauxhall has suffered another blow to its driving school fleet after Bill Plant Driving School announced it was replacing its fleet of Corsas with Hyundai i20s.

The company, which has an overall fleet of just under 600 vehicles, has already taken 60 i20s with a further 500 units being delivered over the next year.

It’s a significant move especially after BSM recently ended its 16-year-relationship with Vauxhall after signing a contract with Fiat (Fleet News, August 13).

The Fiat 500 was chosen to replace BSM’s fleet of Corsas with 14,000 cars being supplied by Fiat over a four-year contract – 3,500 every year.

But, while GM UK Fleet wouldn’t divulge the numbers it operates in this sector, brand manager Paul Adler was remaining optimistic.

“We are a significant supporter of this segment and have ongoing, longstanding business partnerships with many fleet customers,” he said.

“We have always been committed to providing a range of cars that meet fleet customers needs and an infrastructure to provide the highest possible level of customer care, and we will continue to provide this where it makes sound business sense to do so.”

It is estimated that as many as 70% of new drivers buy the model that they learnt to drive in once they past their test, which was not lost on Hyundai’s sales director Guy Pigounakis.

“We’re delighted that Bill Plant Driving School pupils will be taking their lessons and tests in the new Hyundai i20,” he said.

“After passing, I’m sure many will not want to part company with this excellent supermini.”

Bill Plant Driving School is buying the i20s outright, after having a mix of lease and outright purchase Corsas for the past five or six years.