Great Wall became the first Chinese car brand to launch in the UK earlier this year and now the Cambridgeshire-based fleet services provider has added 10 Steed pick-up vehicles to its mini-lease fleet with a further 10 on order.

Additionally, Alliance Asset Management has formed a strategic partnership with Great Wall which sees it manage the manufacturer’s own mini-lease scheme.

The Steed, which is powered by a 2.0-litre, 16-valve turbocharged diesel, is billed as Britain’s most affordable double cab pick-up.

The entry-level model is the Steed S costing £13,998 (CVOTR) with the SE derivative costing £15,998 (CVOTR). Alliance Asset Management is taking delivery of the SE model.

Alliance Asset Management’s Vincent St Claire said: ‘Chinese motor manufacturers are set to be a coming force in the UK vehicle industry and Great Wall’s Steed delivers tremendous value for our customers.

‘Many of our customers, particularly during the winter months, are looking for temporary but versatile vehicles that are also robust. Offering class-leading combined cycle fuel economy of 34 mpg and a competitive 1,050 kgs payload, the Steed also has standard equipment levels that are unmatched by similarly priced pick-ups on sale in the UK,’ he added.

Standard equipment includes: 16-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, remote central locking, a Thatcham-approved Category 1 alarm, electric front and rear windows, an Alpine CD/radio with USB/MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, air-conditioning, heated fronted seats and a full leather interior. The SE adds: body-coloured hard-top canopy, body-coloured spoiler, chrome trim to the daytime running lights, chrome side bars, black roof rails, load bay liner, and rear parking sensors.

Mr St Claire added: ‘Many businesses will be unaware of Great Wall and its Steed model. We believe that mini-lease is a great way not only for companies to fulfil a short-term vehicle requirement, but also to experience what we believe will go on to become a hugely successful brand in the UK.’

Mini-lease vehicles typically join fleets for two or three months or even more with the option costing significantly less than daily rental and also not tying businesses into long-term contract hire packages.

The plethora of reasons today for companies utilising a flexible mini-lease option include:

– Customer specific project or contract requirements

– Vehicle provision for new staff during the completion of a probationary period of employment

– Employees on secondment to a UK-based business, particularly from sister overseas companies

– Seasonal demands, particularly for temporary sales staff recruited to launch new products

– Companies undergoing change perhaps as a result of a takeover or due to a major fleet review and a hold being put on new vehicle orders

– A tighter focus on fleet costs and the accessibility of a product which is cheaper and more flexible than traditional daily rentalA company having axed their own pool vehicles but requiring additional vehicles for use by staff

– As a stop-gap measure for employees between the disposal of their current company car and prior to them taking delivery of their new vehicle.

Great Wall managing director, Paul Hegarty said: ‘Alliance allows us to showcase the Steed to a whole range of potential new customers. We are an all-new brand in the UK, so early visibility to as wide a public as possible is critical. The Steed is just the beginning for Great Wall in the UK; there will be lots more news in the coming months.’