The simple answer to this question is to compare prices from multiple finance companies, however where do you start. There are hundreds of contract hire companies on the Internet, however not that many who actually supply the finance.

If only you could compare prices Direct from the finance companies life would be much easier. Well now it is following the launch of Comparecontracthire.com the UK’s first business and personal contract hire comparison site. All prices are imported into the site from the finance companies directly.

On an Audi A3 Diesel Cabriolet 1.9TDi Sport 2 Door Manual model, the least expensive price showing on the same standard terms is £267.45 excluding VAT and £347.98 excluding VAT from the most expensive finance company.

That is a whopping £80.53 a month difference over 38 payments, or a £3060.14 saving just by comparing prices on a like for like basis.

Every manufacturer make and model is on the site allowing you to pick and choose the right car at the right price.

Skoda has reported its market share up by 1.7% as it sold over 37,000 units last year. The best seller in the range was the Fabia with the Octavia in close pursuit. Out of the new Superb model sold, 60% were the top of the range Elegance model.

Robert Hazelwood, Brand Director of Skoda said ” With good quality product and high levels of equipment at every level it is clear that we are well positioned for what will be a difficult year in 2009″.

smart is launching a new model which gives customers even better value for money. The smart CDi goes on sale in March 2009 and achieves a wonderful 83.1miles per gallon combined mpg.

The CO2 emissions output is only 88 g/km. Registrations of this iconic brand increased by 43.3% in 2008 according to the SMMT. Dermot Kelly, the Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Uk said ” smart’s reputation for affordability and economy is growing and the range is being considered by an increasing number of motorists who are seeking to reduce their motoring costs”.

Fiat has launched a new family friendly vehicle using the Grande Punto platform as a base.

This new Fiat is easy to manoeuvre like a super mini but has the space of an MPV.  There will be four versions of the new Qubo with two engine options. Fiat has fitted its award winning 1.3 diesel Multijet turbo diesel and a nippy 1.4 petrol engine. The two engine derivatives come in Active and Dynamic trim levels.

The 1.3 Multijet turbo diesel achieves a combined mpg of 62.8 mpg and a low CO2 figure of 119 g/km

Full business and personal contract hire pricing should be available shortly at Comparecontracthire.com, the UK’s first contract hire price comparison site.

Ford goes into the New Year with impressive Green credentials. They have one of the UK’s most comprehensive range of green cars with low CO2 emissions.

The Ford Ka has a CO2 of under 120 g/km as do the new Ford Fiesta diesels which achieve 76.3 combined mpg and a CO2 figure of less than 100 g/km.

Ford has 185 models under 160 g/km emissions output thereby offering substantial savings to drivers and companies. They were also named Greenest Manufacturer in 2008 by Green-Car-Guide.com

The new Mercedes E Class offers outstanding comfort and safety plus an outstanding 53.3 mpg combined mpg. With CO2 emissions of 139 g/km this new model sets the benchmark for all round safety and economy in the executive car sector.

There are around 20 new or further technical enhancements with Mercedes using its BlueEFFICIENCY package to provide up to 23% fuel savings.

Chevrolet will launch a new mini car called the Spark at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009.

GM’s North American President Troy Clarke said ” The Spark will add great style, roominess and versatility to the segment of extremely fuel efficient small cars”.

Production on the Spark will start in Korea from late 2009 and it will go on sale in the UK in early 2010.

Ford reported today that its share of the retail (non fleet) market grew by 1.9 percentage points to 17.4% , year on year, in December 2008. The Ford Focus was the overall best selling car for the 10th successive year.

Ford has always been one of the nation’s best sellers and has introduced a new Ford Focus, Kuga, Fiesta and Ka in 2008. The Ford Focus also appeared with James Bond in the “Quantum of Solace”.

Nigel Sharp, MD of Ford of Britain said ” Ford’s range of stylish, high tech models, offering value and fuel efficiency, continues to attract customers to our showrooms in these difficult times”.

Citroen announced today that their super efficient City car the Citroen C1 gets a new smart new look for 2009. It has a new restyled front end, new body colours and trims plus better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

The entry level 1.0 litre model Citroen C1 VT has a CO2 figure of only 106 g/km  and up to 62.8 combined MPG whilst the diesel 1.4 HDi achieves 68.9 mpg.

Comparecontracthire.com has reported today that the top 5 favourite manufacturers quoted on this contract hire price comparison site are as follows.

1) Audi

2) Volkswagen

3) BMW

4) Fiat

5) Mercedes

Small businesses obviously have a greater flexibility when choosing their car, than larger fleets, where a more structured car policy is usually in place. Robert Wastell, Managing Director of Comparecontracthire.com said  ” The beauty of contract hire is that it provides fixed cost motoring for any small business. Running your own business gives you the flexibility to drive the vehicle of your choice and clearly SME’s have voted with their fingertips. It was also great to see one of our current finance partners, Fiat, appearing at number four in the league of favourite manufacturers”.

Comparecontracthire.com is the UK’s first business and personal contract hire price comparison site and compares prices from a panel of twelve FN50 contract hire suppliers. Live contract hire pricing is available free of charge and the site also aims to inform motorists about a wide variety of other motoring related subjects.