Seat UK will hand dealers £12,000 if they meet a new set of fleet sales standards and succeed in making 100 deals a year as part of its new Fleet Excellence programme.

The brand said that it is launching the programme in a bid to make business sales a more attractive proposition for the dealer network while improving the business driver buying experience even further.

It comes as the brand looks to build on four years of consecutive growth in fleet, which it looks to build on following the recent introduction of the Ateca SUV and new Leon hatchback.

Peter McDonald, Seat UK’s head of fleet and business sales, said: “Fleet customers rightfully expect a good handover and service, but by supporting dealers with the necessary incentives and infrastructure, we can improve that level of service even more.

“The Fleet Excellence programme is built to make fleet sales more viable for our dealer network, and will encourage dealerships to make it a more significant part of their business going forward.”

Dealerships that are eligible for the Fleet Excellence programme will be funded with an additional £12,000 per year to support with the costs associated with fleet management, administration and systems support.

To be eligible for the programme, dealerships will have to sell more than 100 units a year to fleets of 40 or more vehicles.

At least two people in each dealership will need to be trained in its direct invoicing system to leasing companies and fleet customers, which will encourage a more streamlined and transparent customer journey.

Dealerships on the programme will also have to meet certain standards to ensure fleet customers are receiving an agreed level of service; including accurate vehicle forecasting, transaction accuracy and excellent scores in the company car handover experience.