Fiat Group Automobiles UK is to extend its family of alliance partners following the announcement of a new fleet deal with bodyshop Nationwide Accident Repair Services.

As part of the deal, Nationwide will be able to supply Alfa MiTo, 159 and Giulietta, and Fiat 500, Panda, Punto Evo and Bravo cars as courtesy cars.

Additionally if the customer’s damaged car is deemed a write-off, Nationwide will offer its customers Fiat’s preferential rates to buy the courtesy car they are driving – or even a new one.
The arrangement, involving 400 cars, will initially be rolled out through 11 of Nationwide’s 73 centres across the UK – exclusively offering Fiat Group cars – with more sites expected to follow later in 2011.

Paolo Lo Monaco, finance and business development director, FGA UK & Ireland, said: “This deal is fully in line with Fiat’s fleet strategy.

“Around 20% of accident-damaged cars are written off in the UK, and this figure is rising each year, so the Nationwide agreement will clearly give Fiat Group the opportunity to offer extended test drives to retail customers at the right point of the purchasing cycle.”

Michael Wilmshurst, Nationwide chief executive, said: “Nationwide is committed to testing and developing innovative solutions for its customers, and this project provides a superb opportunity to develop a like-for-like courtesy car model that provides a viable alternative to credit hire, as well as enhancing the customer experience.”