Vauxhall will this weekend begin what it claims will be the world’s biggest test driving event, involving 54,000 drivers in the UK.

Starting tomorrow, the company is beginning a test drive programme across Europe, called the Million Mile Test Drive, involving 35,000 test cars in 40 countries. A total of a million miles are expected to be driven in the three-month campaign.

In the UK, Vauxhall retailers now have ready an extra 2,300 cars available to meet the extra demand. Models across the range are on offer, including the newly-launched Astra Sport Hatch and the Breeze editions of Corsa, Meriva, Astra, Zafira and Vectra.

Vauxhall van retailers will also be taking part in the giant sales initiative, and the whole of the commercial vehicle range is be available as part of the programme.

The test drive event is likely to be extended for the rest of the year if successful (measured by increased footfall and sales) and introduced to other GM brands like Saab and Chevrolet.