• New player in Swedish market

• Masterlease motors into Scandinavia
• Border Controls
• European Driving Licences
• European Smoking Ban
• Masterlease in Ireland
• Diesel Particle Filters
• Global Fleet Costs
• Speed Limits in Europe
• Drivers turn a blind eye to mirror safety

New player in Swedish market

Leading fleet management company Masterlease has continued its expansion throughout Europe by making its first entry into the Scandinavian market, teaming up with Autolease and Saab for the launch of the full-service fleet management Saab Billeasing brand in Sweden.

The entry into Sweden means Masterlease now has a presence in 15 countries and expects to expand this to 18 by the end of the year. It will be drawing on the Scandinavian experience of Autolease, which already operates and manages 15,000 vehicles in Denmark and Norway.

Nick Brownrigg, CEO of Masterlease, comments: “We have been looking at the Scandinavian market for some time now and we feel the time is right to make a move. Sweden is currently Europe’s 13th largest market for fleet cars with just under 300,000 fleet drivers at the moment, but we feel there is a huge potential for growth here, particularly in the full service leasing market.

“Our recent experience across Europe has shown that demand for full service leasing is increasing and the move into Sweden is part of Masterlease’s plan to increase its network around the world by the end of 2006.”

The operation will be led by new country manager Karl-Erik Elias, who says that Saab Billeasing is aiming for the top of a growing Swedish market.

He comments: “We have a strong product and with our previous experience in Scandinavia, we are confident that we can become one of the top-three companies in this sector by 2007.

“The move will be mutually beneficial for both Masterlease and the Saab brand in Sweden and will contribute enormously to the global success of both companies.”

Saab Billeasing is a collaboration between Masterlease, GM Sweden and Autolease, owned by DnB NOR Finans.