Mazda is currently looking to secure new corporate business by providing model availability across the range.
Vehicle waiting lists can sometimes be as long as five months or more, which can prove to be costly for companies waiting on delivery, who may have to defleet on schedule and resort to hiring a vehicle for an interim period, extending replacement cycles resulting in potentially lower second hand values or, for leased fleets, paying to extend contracts.
Mazda aims to meet fleet customer orders with:
- A flexible UK dealer allocation process which is the result of a 'fleet vehicle sold order pot' programme, which key dealers use to meet corporate demand within 10-14 days of orders being placed. Mazda and their dealers forecast the model mix expected to be most popular with fleets, which is based on market knowledge and order specification history. The vehicles are then manufactured and held centrally on the dockside at Zeebrugge in Belgium. When fleet orders are taken, dealers can then 'pull' cars from the 'pot' and deliver to customers within two weeks.
- The recent addition of the Mazda6 'Business Line' model - a fleet specific model - which can be ordered now with first deliveries in time with the September registration plate change.
Mazda Fleet and Remarketing Director Steve Jelliss said: "We have good availability on all mainstream models. However, our diesel models are particularly popular with fleets and company car drivers for a number of reasons but notably a combination of strong whole life costs, high specification, competitive list price and low CO2 emissions figure which deliver financial benefits to managers and wallet-friendly benefit-in-kind tax bills to drivers, whilst also delivering a fun-to-drive experience."
Some of the most popular Mazda models in the corporate sector include the Mazda3 1.6D 5dr TS2 with 117g/km CO2 emissions and the Mazda6 2.2D 5dr TS 129PS with 138g/km CO2 emissions.
The Mazda6 Business Line model has also seen interest after its debut at the Company Car in Action event.
Jelliss highlighted: "The model attracted significant interest from fleet decision-makers attending the event and our corporate sales team is busy following up leads which we fully expect to materialise into orders."
The Mazda6 Business Line model hatchback features a 2.2 litre 129PS diesel engine priced at £18,300. CO2 emissions of of 138g/km mean the car is in the 20 per cent benefit in kind bracket for 2011/12.
Three of the most popular colours chosen by company car drivers are available for the Mazda6 Business Line: Black Mica, Sunlight Silver Metallic and Stormy Blue Mica. Standard equipment includes: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control System (TCS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist as well as front, side and full-length airbags, cruise control and dual-zone climate control air conditioning, TomTom satellite navigation system with Bluetooth technology and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Jelliss said: "With immediate availability and an anticipated monthly contract hire rate lower than significant rival models, the Mazda6 'Business Line' will be well positioned versus its competition, including the premium badge cars. Given its tax rating, specification levels and the fact that there are long waiting lists for many alternatives from other manufacturers we are anticipating strong demand for the car."
He concluded: "All of these factors put Mazda in a strong position to meet fleet and company car driver expectations and sustain and grow corporate sales across the UK."
