More than 8,500 providers of service and maintenance - including franchise dealers, independent garages and fast-fit networks - have now signed up to the 1link Service Network directory.

The service and maintenance e-commerce platform recruited its first service providers at the end of 2002. It is envisaged that up to 12,000 will eventually join the network in total.

Ken Trinder, head of business development at epyx, the company behind 1link, says: "1link Service Network has now been adopted by leasing fleets totalling around 1.8 million vehicles. This gives service providers access to a massive potential pool of new business, as well as strengthening links with existing customers.”

1link Service Network creates online links between major fleets and providers of maintenance services. It replaces the phone and fax method of authorising fleet work, which often results in queried invoices, with a fast and accurate online mechanism.

Included in the 8,500 names in the 1link Service Network directory are the franchise dealer networks of motor manufacturers Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, Honda, Lexus, MINI, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

Major franchise dealer groups using 1link Service Network include Dixons, Pendragon, Lookers, Reg Vardy, Bristol Street, Caffyns, Arnold Clark and Glenvarigill.

From the tyre and exhaust fast-fit side of the industry, ATS, Kwik-Fit, National Tyres and Nationwide Autocentres, are all now members of 1link Service Network.

1link has been adopted by 14 of the UK's top 20 motor manufacturers and 25 of the top 50 vehicle leasing companies.