Andrew Wale has joined Suzuki GB as its first corporate sales manager.

The new position has been created as part of a strategy to build corporate sales for the car brand, which has been heavily biased towards the retail market traditionally.

Wale has 22 years' experience in the motor industry with Volvo, Honda and Nissan, and was a founder member of Honda UK's corporate sales team before becoming its national leasing and rental manager.

Wale's initial focus will be the further development of Suzuki Contract Hire, which was launched earlier this year.

He will be working with dealers to use this service to attract new local business opportunities.

“We will be looking in particular at the public sector, where our vehicles can be of real value, not least the 4x4s with their ability to keep people on the move during winter weather. Salary sacrifice schemes, driving schools and Motability sales will also yield important prospects for us,” he said.

He added: “I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to join Suzuki GB and help implement its corporate sales strategy, through developing our relationship with business customers, leasing companies and the industry guides, and also by providing the dealer network with the tools, skills and support they need to develop corporate and business sales performance.

“The Suzuki range of vehicles has excellent potential for gaining business, particularly with the Swift with its low emissions and strong cost of ownership profile, and with the small 4x4s for which the company has such an enviable reputation.”