EasyCar, the daily rental firm, has struck a car supply deal with Vauxhall in a move that signals the end of its exclusive contract with Mercedes-Benz. Four hundred Vauxhall Corsas will be available to rent from the EasyCar site at Earl's Court, London from May 28.

“A Vauxhall Corsa costs EasyCar £2 a day less than a Mercedes-Benz A-class so we can pass this saving on to our customers,” says founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou. This is the first time EasyCar has sourced vehicles from outside the DaimlerChrysler group since its launch as EasyRentacar in March 2000. However, not all ties with Mercedes-Benz have been cut. EasyCar says the move is part of a new philosophy that concentrates on competitive tendering and cross-manufacturer competition.

Talks between EasyCar and Renault for a new Clio-only London site with 400 rental cars - due to open in the summer - are understood to have fallen through because of planning permission delays. Tony Styles, senior editor Cap Black Book, believes the move will have little impact on Corsa residual values.