Japanese car maker Mazda is cementing its assault on the company car market with its new seven-seat compact Mazda 5 going on sale in January.

The low emission diesel version of the car is already on sale with the option of 1.8-litre 115 horsepower and 2.0-litre 150 horsepower petrol engines.

The new year will see the a 1.6-litre 115 horsepower 138g/km CO2 turbo diesel unit completing the engine line-up.

Mazda Fleet and remarketing director Peter Allibon said: "With the arrival of the Mazda 5 diesel we will be offering fleet operators and company car drivers a complete five-model range - Mazda 2, Mazda 3, Mazda 5, Mazda 6 and CX-7 topped by the iconic MX-5.

"It is a huge step forward from where Mazda was just four years ago when only the Mazda 6 could be described as meeting their demands.

"Now, rather than a single car Mazda is able to offer businesses a complete fleet solution from an urban super mini through to load-carriers required by high-mileage reps and on to lifestyle vehicles for user-choosers."

The model enters showrooms with Mazda's core fleet sales to outright purchase end-user fleets and contract hire and leasing companies, including through Mazda Contract Hire, on a buoyant upward curve.

For the first nine-months of 2010 sales are up 13 percent up year-on-year totalling 4,956 compared to 4,388 for the nine months to the end of September 2009.

Mr Allibon added: "Fleet decision-makers and company car drivers want stylish cars that are reliable and cost-effective to operate with low emissions and first-class fuel economy.

"Mazda is delivering all of those credentials across its model range giving fleet operators low cost of ownership figures and company car drivers' wallet-friendly company car tax bills while at the wheel of highly-specced cars."