BMW is targeting fleet’s biggest players when its new Countryman small 4×4 arrives in September.
“I personally believe it has a strong opportunity in fleet as long as people understand where it sits,” BMW fleet boss Steve Chater told BusinessCar. “It stacks up against a Focus, Golf or Astra and is a very strong proposition. We’re seeing Mini grow within fleet, but that car will set the future for the brand. Countryman will surprise a lot of people when it comes to market.”
Chater said this winter’s poor weather may have helped the Countryman’s case: “People say they won’t put 4x4s onto their fleet, but this will be the lowest-emitting 4×4 by a long way. With the weather we’ve had, people are saying maybe they should consider them to make sure people can do their jobs.”
The Countryman will be priced from around £16,000-£17,000, and Chater is expecting residual values to match the strong figures seen across the rest of the range. He also said the firm is working to get some versions within the range under 121g/km.
