Richard Siney, operations director at Norton Way Motors, said: "It is a stunningly successful initiative. This year we have supplied more than 2,000 fleet units for the first time and almost 30% of that volume has been as a result of Mazda's competitive lead times versus other brands.

"Our customers require cars because they are a business necessity and waiting times of 20 weeks or more being quoted by other manufacturers are simply unacceptable to them."

The streamlining of supply has also brought benefits for the dealers. Siney explained: "Network efficiency has improved enormously as we do not need to keep stocks of vehicles. That means money previously invested in holding vehicles can be redirected, for example, into additional customer prospecting and more demonstrator models."

Rodger Eyeington, Fleet Manager at JCT600 in Bradford, has seen corporate sales increase 10-15 percent this year as a result of model availability and he also highlighted improved cash flow benefits for the Mazda dealership.

He said: "Fleets are not prepared to wait three to six months for cars. When they are quoted that length of lead time they look to other suppliers and Mazda is winning business because of the quick delivery of vehicles.

"Fleets are cancelling orders with their first choice manufacturer and turning to Mazda because they are impressed that we can get a vehicle to them within two weeks. As more customers find out about our short lead times Mazda is moving to the forefront of choice lists."

Eyeington added: "Additionally, the dealership can reduce vehicle stocking levels and that is improving our cash flow which is a tremendous benefit."

Graeme Johnston, who heads up fleet sales for Arnold Clark's Mazda franchises and is based in Stirling, said: "The main benefits to ourselves as an accredited Mazda Motor UK fleet centre is that knowing we have access to hundreds of cars at anyone time we can effectively manage our order bank and have greater confidence over our competitors with regard to turning quotes into orders. To back this up over 70% of all orders we win are fulfilled via the ‘fleet sold order pot’.

"The main benefits to our clients are that with the ability to quickly secure stock on almost every occasion we are faster at supplying cars than our competitors shattering the myth of Mazda being a factory order manufacturer."

Now Mazda is looking to expand the initiative by allowing dealers belonging to its Business Development Programme to access the system. The programme is focused on increasing corporate sales to the SME sector and involves almost 40 Mazda franchise dealers.