Interleasing is offering to source cars from the Continent to save its customers money.

The UK's largest independent contract hire and leasing company is telling fleet managers they can save up to £7,000 a vehicle over a three-year term. More than 300 companies have responded and more than 60 orders have already been placed.

The most dramatic savings are on luxury brands but the European Sourcing Programme (ESP) can also offer savings on mainstream fleet cars, such as Ford Focus and Volvo V40. Interleasing quotes £330 a month for a UK-sourced Ford Focus 1.6 Ghia 5dr sourced or £265 imported from a continental dealership.

Delivery would take about four weeks longer but an Interleasing spokesman said many companies were prepared to wait.

"European Sourcing does not suit everyone but we are finding more and more companies are interested and, while variable exchange rates continue to exist, we don't see that abating," he said.

"We believe we could improve the discounts offered even further for a volume deal. It would certainly be used as a negotiating point."

The cars are sourced through UK-based brokers Burbank and EAC. All are full UK-specification and, although the model range is restricted, Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volvo are well represented.

Residual values have been marked lower than UK-sourced vehicles but "not by much" and the initial savings more than compensate, said the company.