Manchester-based Equalease says that fleet managers are starting to wake up to the potential of medium term leasing and car clubs.

"For decades, businesses have had no more than a couple of choices when it came to car provision - to hire for days or weeks, or to buy or lease for periods running into several years,” explained Managing director Paul Ashton.

"Now that has begun to change. Car clubs mean that businesses can also have use of cars for hours in urban areas, while medium term leasing operators such as ourselves offer cars for periods measured in months.

"The result is that fleet managers have the potential to match provision method to car need exactly. The possibility of having a range of methods ranging from hours to years has the potential to transform fleet management."

Ashton said that he expected to see the development of a flexible approach to car acquisition during the next few years on the part of fleet managers.