Hyundai is to pilot a contract hire scheme from July 1 with 14 retailers, with a view to rolling it out to the entire network by September.

The dealer-based scheme is managed by Hyundai importer Lex, which oversees a similar programme for Honda. It’s part of an overall strategy to boost fleet sales by 10% this year to 3,300 units (total sales target: 36,000) and is expected to add around 400 incremental sales. Retailers are being trained in the skills and knowledge required to handle fleet business, while referrals will be prompted via a large-scale publicity campaign.

Dealers will also be encouraged to get out into their local marketplace to drum up business.

“There will be a hardcore of fleet dealers within the network, starting with the 14 who are piloting the scheme,” says Hyundai Car UK corporate operations manager John Mahony. “These will be our key corporate dealers, who are best-placed to become fleet specialist in the first instance.”

Each will eventually need to employ a fleet specialist to focus on corporate clients – in particular the 25-plus car fleets. An ability to retail fleet will be a key criteria required by Hyundai at it looks to add more dealers to the network.