THE company car has made a comeback, according to HSBC Vehicle Finance which has just published its fifth annual Business Car Expectations survey.

After a four-year decline in the provision of business cars, the latest figures from the vehicle finance arm of HSBC show a resurgence. The rise is led by businesses offering company cars to technical - largely IT - specialists (up 21 per cent), directors (up seven per cent) and middle managers (up five per cent).

Tim Holmes, head of HSBC Vehicle Finance, said: "As pressures in the recruitment market mount, the car has once again become part of the package to attract quality staff."