The Japanese marque has seen sales to leading contract hire and leasing companies jump 20.9% in 2010. And Mazda's market share with more than 20 of the UK's largest contract hire and leasing companies increased by 14% in the first 10 months of 2010 to 2.5%, according to the latest analysis by Derwent Management Services.

Company car sales to contract hire and leasing companies totalled 3,633 vehicles to the end of October 2010 – up from 3,005 during the same period last year.

The Mazda6 is the marque's most popular vehicle. A total of 2,360 models were supplied to leasing companies for the first 10 months of 2010 – up from 2,067 last year and exceeding figures for the Toyota Avensis, Renault Laguna, Honda Accord and Peugeot 407.

Mazda fleet and remarketing director Peter Allibon said: 'The analysis shows that Mazda is closing the gap on some of the UK's most popular company car providers as some brands have seen their market share slip in 2010.

'Not only that, but among key rivals the Mazda6 is gaining momentum as demand for the Insignia, Passat and Mondeo has fallen in 2010, according to the leasing company data.'

He added: 'While the Mazda6 hatchback and estate continues to lead the way for the brand in the fleet sector, demand for the Mazda3 and Mazda2 continues to increase.'

Data from Derwent Management Services reveals that in the first 10 months of 2010 sales of the Mazda3 to the leading contract hire and leasing companies totalled 680 units (2009: 254) with Mazda2 volume at 393 units (2009: 325).