Toyota hybrid fleet a win for the UK

After five years using Toyota Avensis saloons in their fleet, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has ditched the bigger cars for something smaller, greener and made in Britain.

Six Toyota Auris hybrids, built at the Japanese automaker’s plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, will replace the Avensis saloons.

The Auris hybrid has combined CO2 emissions of 93g/km and a rather impressive combined fuel consumption of 70.6mpg. As it’s a full hybrid, it is capable of running fully on electric power at low speeds producing zero emissions.

The Auris hybrid is the first European-made hybrid and with plenty of Priuses already spotted on UK roads, Toyota is on a mission to make these eco-friendly engines available across their whole range of cars. Next year, the Yaris hybrid as well as the 7-seat Prius+ will go on sale in the UK.

As for the SMMT, the Auris hybrids will be used by their engineers as they visit clients across Britain. The SMMT is a joint venture between the government and the UK auto industry and their main role is to teach companies practical skills to cut waste, boost profits and lower costs.

The SMMT's Industry Forum chairman, Michael Baunton, went to the Derbyshire plant for the handover of the cars, saying the organisation is “dedicated to improving the efficiency and environmental impact of the UK motor industry.”

He says that the staff will be setting an example by driving the hybrid Auris as this car shows that in terms of efficiency and eco-friendliness “significant improvements are possible in both areas.”


By Georgia Lewis

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