PEP’s SG Fleet is the auction’s front-runner with a $4 per share bid that values FleetPartners at about $860 million, followed by Element and Orix at $3.80 each.

Element’s emergence in the auction leaves rival suitors with less than eight hours to make their next move – and puts FleetPartners’ board in a tricky position.

Pacific Equity Partners’ SG Fleet has increased its bid for ASX-listed vehicle leasing rival FleetPartners to $4 a share, matching its Canadian rival bidder.

PEP’s SG Fleet is the auction’s front-runner with a $4 per share bid that values FleetPartners at about $860 million, followed by Element and Orix at $3.80 each.