Mazda showcases it;s best range ever at the Fleet Show 2016, from City Car to sports car and many in between.

• Style, performance and efficiency win fleet manager plaudits at the 2016 Fleet Show.
• Further corporate growth forecast as fleet chiefs back Mazda’s stand-out range.
• New launches like the 99g/km 1.5-litre diesel Mazda3 expand the marque’s appeal.

With one of the youngest ranges in the industry combined with low CO₂ emissions, Mazda’s stylish and good to drive model line-up is set to drive further fleet growth in 2016, following a trebling of corporate sales in the past three years.

Having recorded a 22 per cent year-on-year rise in fleet sales in 2015, which at more than 19,000 represented a seven-year high, Mazda arrived at the influential Fleet Show with an award-winning range and record sales. 

At the Show, fleet chiefs were able to drive key corporate models from the Mazda3, Mazda6, all-new Mazda CX-3 and Mazda CX-5 ranges, plus experience the World Car of the Year winning, all-new Mazda MX-5.

The Mazda6 remains Mazda’s fleet favourite, but the brand is reporting strong interest among user-chooser company car drivers for both the all-new Mazda CX-3 and Mazda CX-5 sports utility vehicles, while demand for the Mazda3 is rising following the arrival of the 105ps 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D model with CO₂ emissions of just 99g/km.

Fleet Show visitors were able to drive the all-Mazda CX-3 and the all-new Mazda MX-5, for the first time at the event. Mazda UK’s Head of Fleet Steve Tomlinson said: “These models along with the addition of the low emission Mazda3, which offers the best power to CO₂ emissions ratio in the segment, have helped further strengthen our corporate sales offering. The Mazda range delivers broad appeal whether company car drivers require a mile-munching job need vehicle or a perk car focused around lifestyle.”

Ken Waites, director of Gloucestershire-base Waites Engineering, which has a 15-strong company car fleet, drove the low emission Mazda3 and said: “With emissions of just 99g/km it is very attractive from a company car tax viewpoint as well as not attracting road tax in 2016/17. Carrying an on-the-road price from £18,895, he added: “It is very good value for money. The handling was faultless; the car was comfortable and with plenty of low down torque was very responsive. I was impressed.”

While, Colin Oliver, fleet operations manager at professional services firm PwC, which runs a user-chooser fleet of some 1,750 cars, emerged from driving a Mazda CX-3 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D with CO₂ emissions of only 105g/km and exceptional fuel economy as high as 70.6mpg, to say: “The company car benefit-in-kind tax regime is incentivising employees to drive greener vehicles.”

PwC already counts more than 60 Mazdas on its fleet and Mr Oliver said: “It was the first opportunity I’ve had to drive the CX-3. Employees have a completely open choice and SUVs are becoming more popular because of people’s lifestyles and their standout appeal in the company car market. The CX-3 performed very well. It is a good-looking car that has desirability and handled very well.”

Andrew Minham, fleet co-ordinator at Guildford Borough Council, which operates a 180-strong fleet including 50 cars, said: “We have some Mazdas on the fleet and some employees have asked out about the Mazda CX-3 and CX-5. The Council offers an open choice policy so I thought it was important to familiarise myself with both cars, which each delivered first class performance.”

Tony Miller, fleet co-ordinator at Coventry-based scientific instruments company Bruker UK, which already counts four Mazda6 and three CX-5 models on its 86-strong company car fleet, drove a number of the marque’s models.

He said: “Mazda cars have a good name on our fleet, particularly for their reliability and a style and design that is different from the norm. Drivers start to see Mazdas in the company car park and it immediately prompts interest. One person’s decision to have a CX-5 led to more inquiries about the model - they are the first SUVs we have had on the fleet.

“I was particularly interested in the Mazda CX-3 to see if it would be fit-for purpose for our fleet because we particularly like vehicles with low flat boot access for ease of loading. Benefit-in-kind tax is also important to our employees so we guide them towards low emission models.”

Mr Tomlinson said: “Mazda’s corporate sales are on a role and we are delighted with the reception that our range received at this year’s Fleet Show. Mazda has a powerful line-up that fleet decision-makers and company car drivers cannot ignore.”

SEAT UK will be showcasing its new Ateca SUV – the first in its model line-up – at this year’s Fleet Show.

SEAT UK will be showcasing its new Ateca SUV – the first in its model line-up – at this year’s Fleet Show at the iconic Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on May 11.

The new car, which SEAT believes will reinforce its fleet appeal as well as making a real impact in the UK’s fast-growing compact SUV fleet sector, is available to order from May 3 and has its showroom launch in September. On the road pricing starts at £17,990 and rises to £29,990 for top of the range models.

Three trim levels will be offered in the UK: S, SE – expected to be the best-selling trim – and XCELLENCE. In addition, a ‘First Edition’ version will be offered, with more details to be announced later this spring.

Engine line-up covers two petrol and three diesel powertrains, spanning 113bhp to 187bhp with a choice of either six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG-auto transmissions. Providing four-wheel-drive capability, SEAT’s 4Drive powertrain is available on both 2.0 TDI diesel engines. Emissions and MPG figures are expected to be among the best in class when they are confirmed.

From launch, there will be 113bhp three-cylinder 1.0 TSI and 1.6 TDI engines available on S and SE models, while a 148bhp 1.4 EcoTSI and 2.0 TDI will be available across SE and XCELLENCE trims. Finally the 187bhp 2.0 TDI will be exclusively available on the range-topping XCELLENCE, and comes with DSG and 4Drive.

The Ateca launches with a tranche of innovative technologies to assist drivers and provide the safest drive possible. SEAT’s revolutionary Traffic Jam Assist automates driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic, while built-in Blind Spot Detection technology makes the Ateca even safer with a blind spot assistant to aid drivers when changing lanes. 

Connectivity was also a focal point in the development of the Ateca. Full Link ensures full connectivity with all modern smartphones, while an eight-inch Media System Plus screen is available along with other connected innovations including wireless smartphone charging and gesture control.

Peter McDonald, Head of Fleet and Business Sales for SEAT UK, said: “We expect high take-up from fleet buyers for our new Ateca SUV due to the new model’s keen pricing and outstanding style, quality and practicality. We’re already seeing orders flooding in for the Ateca in several of SEAT’s key European markets and we believe UK fleets will respond similarly.”

SEAT will join some 20 other individual manufacturers’ brands that are represented at this year’s show: Audi, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Citroen, DS, Fiat, Honda, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia Motors, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, MINI, Peugeot, Renault, Tesla, Toyota, and Volvo.

Between them they will be providing a dazzling array of new models for test driving, with some available for the first time anywhere in the UK, on three circuits of the world-famous Silverstone Grand Prix venue - the National, International and Stowe circuits - plus a road route in the locality.

Show director, Jerry Ramsdale, said: “We are delighted that SEAT UK has chosen this year’s Fleet Show at Silverstone to showcase its exciting new Ateca SUV, which looks set to have great appeal in a rapidly growing sector.

“Its presence further increases the reasons for fleet decision-makers to take a day out of their busy schedules and attend the event. By coming to this year’s Show, visitors will have the chance to get up close and personal with some of the very latest models to hit the UK fleet market,” he added.

As always, the Fleet Show looks to strike a balance between interactive fleet education, test driving and a contemporary fleet exhibition which features some of the latest developments, products and services in the fleet arena.

On the education front, a new, Question Time-style interactive session will be led by industry experts and will tackle some of the leading fleet topics of the day, as well as addressing concerns from the floor.

The Silverstone Wing will again play host to a wide-ranging fleet exhibition in halls 1-3, boasting a diverse array of suppliers who will be demonstrating the latest developments, products and services in the fleet market.

There will also be plenty of opportunity for Show visitors to hold face-to-face meetings and network with exhibitors and other visitors alike.

Last year’s Fleet Show attracted higher numbers of top quality fleet decision-makers than ever before – up 25% on the previous year – and the audience has increased in size every year since the inaugural event in 2011.

This year, the audience will be audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) for the first time to give a clear and auditable record of the number of fleet decision-makers attending the event.