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Forester Life buys British with order for 130 Honda Civics

Leading financial services provider Forester Life is putting into practise some of its own renowned financial prudence - and putting its faith in British-built cars - by placing a significant order for 130 Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC models for its corporate fleet.

The new arrangement will see Honda (UK) become sole fleet supplier to Foresters for at least the next three years, marking the return of a partnership between the two companies which began in 2003.

To celebrate the delivery of the first five cars to Foresters, Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) Honda Yuasa Racing driver, Matt Neal, handed over the keys to Foresters staff at Marshall Honda in Narborough, Leicestershire, on 9 January. Matt is a big fan of the Civic himself, having enjoyed many successes in it during seven BTCC seasons since 2003. Last year the BTCC Honda Civics secured both the teams' and manufacturers' titles for the fourth year in a row.

The recently introduced Honda Civic powered by the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine is fast becoming a firm fleet favourite, thanks to its class-leading combination of fuel economy and performance; emitting just 94g/km of CO2 with a powerful 120PS. The 1.6 i-DTEC engine in the Civic is the first to be launched in Europe under Honda's flagship Earth Dreams Technology environmental programme, offering customers an outstanding balance of high fuel economy, low emissions and dynamic performance. Debuting in the Civic hatchback, the engine is now also available in the British-built CR-V and Civic Tourer models.

Euan Allison, Group Managing Director of Foresters comments: "We have bought Honda Civics in the past and, after trying some other premium brands in the interim, are pleased to welcome Honda back to the Foresters fleet. Honda really seems to have got the Civic diesel package right for the fleet market, responding to the demands we make on a car manufacturer - the need for company tax efficiency, high mpg, low emissions and surprisingly low BIK implications. All of these factors, and the fact that the Civic is British-built, add up to a compelling fleet motoring package that exceeds our requirements."

Gail Chambers, National Corporate Sales Manager for Honda (UK) comments: "As a company providing financial services products for some 135 years, Foresters clearly knows what is required to be successful in business. We have worked very closely with them to understand their company car requirements, and the result is this significant fleet order which further underlines the growing reputation of the new Civic as a corporate favourite. We are delighted to once again be working in partnership with Foresters to meet all of their driver's needs while keeping their carbon footprint and fleet costs low."

The new Civics are being supplied through the Marshall Motor Group - the largest Honda retail partner in the UK - with the arrangement brokered on behalf of Foresters by contract hire specialists, Marshall Leasing. Jonathan Ross, Sales & Marketing Director at Marshall Leasing says of supporting Foresters in meeting their fleet requirements: "We've dedicated ourselves to making the experience as easy as possible, both for those making the fleet decisions at Foresters and for the drivers themselves. We're delighted that Foresters are 'buying British' with their choice of Honda."

The Civic 1.6 i-DTEC's credentials as a frugal motoring choice were further underlined in the recent ‘MPG Marathon', organised by Fleet World Magazine. Over a 367 mile drive in conditions that many company car drivers face every day, independent testing recorded an excellent overall mpg of just 84.87, exceeding its official combined figure by some 8.12 per cent.

Please visit www.honda.co.uk/civic to find out more about the Civic range.