Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX range was the top-selling in 2009

Vauxhall’s ecoFLEX range was the top-selling green range among UK fleet buyers in 2009, it has been revealed.

The carmaker it sold twice as many vehicles from its range of greener cars as any other UK competitor. In total ecoFLEX models made up a staggering 26 per cent of its total fleet diesel sales and 9 per cent of the total 2009 Vauxhall fleet sales.

The sub-119g/km 5-door Corsa 1.3 CDTi was the most popular vehicle for fleets over the last 12 months, accounting for almost 40 per cent of ecoFLEX sales and again proving to be nearly three times as popular as its nearest competitor. The 5-door Astra estate and 5-door hatchback were the second and third most requested, followed closely by the Insignia 5-door hatchback.

Paul Adler, Brand Manager Vauxhall Fleet commented: “Vauxhall are committed to delivering on the twin pillars of reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel economy to bring true savings to fleet decision makers and company car drivers alike. The ecoFLEX range makes it easy for business car buyers to be ‘green’ as well as save money. And with more Vauxhall ecoFLEX models to come, we believe 2010 will see even greater growth.”

The Vauxhall ecoFLEX range can offer fleets considerable cost savings over the life of the car. Some ecoFLEX models fall into Vehicle Excise Duty Band A, meaning they attract £0 excise duty. The entire range qualifies for the Capital Allowance regime, which allows fleet decision makers to write down 20 per cent of the car’s cost, and offset 100 per cent of the lease payments against tax.

Indeed, the new Corsa 1.3CDTi ecoFLEX (95PS) models and the New Astra 1.3CDTi ecoFLEX (95PS) models offer CO2 emissions of less than 110g/km qualifying for a 100 per cent writing down allowance. In fact, the new Corsa 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX (95PS) 3-dr model’s CO2 emissions have dropped to just 98g/km, matching the best in class, and are complemented by a combined fuel economy figure of 76.3mpg.

Savings on fuel are another benefit with ecoFLEX, the Astra 5dr Hatchback and Insignia 5dr Hatchback models show on average between 11 and 12 per cent improvement in combined fuel economy when compared to the standard equivalent, which means that each vehicle is able to travel over 50 miles further on a single tank of fuel.

Vauxhall now offers over 50 different ecoFLEX models to support businesses and drivers, one of the largest ranges of environmental models in the UK. It has created a microsite (www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/microsite/ecoflex) dedicated to highlighting the benefits of ecoFLEX to its customers.