Mazda Motors UK is looking to significantly expand its dealer-based contract hire scheme after forming a new partnership with ALD Automotive.

The new arrangement will see ALD Automotive provide a range of contract hire and personal contract leasing services supporting SME sales through Mazda's 156-strong dealer network.

The development will see ALD Automotive work with Mazda dealers and its four regionally-based business development managers to further support franchises in maximising local business opportunities in their respective areas.

ALD Automotive will supply services after winning a competitive tender, which marks the ending of a seven-year partnership between Mazda and the company which is now known as Lex Autolease.

The new partnership kicks-off this month (May) although Lex Autolease will continue to manage out all existing agreements with Mazda Contract Hire.

Mazda fleet and remarketing director Steve Jelliss said: "We have a desire to grow Mazda Contract Hire volumes and believe that this collaboration with ALD Automotive will achieve our ambitions.

"The imaginative and creative approach that Mazda is adopting, particularly to the SME fleet sector through our Business Development Programme, which was officially launched 12 months ago with the appointment of the development managers, is matched by ALD Automotive."

Jelliss added: "ALD won the Mazda contract in a competitive tender due to their quality of service, flexibility, approachability at a senior management level and an overall hunger for the business.

"Mazda has a growing presence in the UK market - particularly in the contract hire and SME sectors - and the ability of our franchised dealer network to work with their team to offer customers a vehicle leasing opportunity with budgeted monthly motoring costs will, we believe, further increase sales."