Johnsons Cars, the premium franchise dealer group, is set to launch a new contract hire company - Jcar - as it targets the corporate market.

The Worcestershire-based comp-any, which has 11 dealerships across the UK representing Honda, Lexus, Toyota and Volvo, is using the 1link e-procurement program to order vehicles.

The system uses the internet to create a tie-up between contract hire and leasing companies and franchise dealers to source any type of vehicle. Steve Waldron, Jcar sales manager, says the operation aims to set itself apart from its competitors by offering high levels of customer satisfaction and value for money.

Waldron, who was previously business centre manager for Volvo, expects the new company to reach a 1000-car target over the next 12 months.