A deep discount offer aimed at generating retail interest in a new Mitsubishi small car is being made available to fleet buyers.

Trimming £1,000 from the price of all models in the Mirage hatchback range, the launch deal is proving so popular in the showrooms that it has already been extended to cover registrations over the next three months.

"This is a significant saving on a vehicle that carries competitive pricing in the first place and there's no reason why fleets can't benefit from it," said Mitsubishi Motors managing director Lance Bradley. "We have no plans to drop this offer in the immediate future – in fact we'll run it until it ceases to be effective.

"Our marketing plans also involve Hertz, who will have 200 examples on their fleet to help us get cars on the road quickly and make them available to potential customers.

"Even though we see the Mirage as a mainly retail vehicle, it does have considerable potential for bodyshops and Motability and we're looking at other opportunities – we've even had one prepared as a police demonstrator."

With three-cylinder petrol engines sized at one-litre and 1.2-litres, the new five-door hatchback has space for four adults, returns up to 68.9mpg economy and has prices from £8,999 to £11,999 on the road.

Author: Maurice Glover