Land Cruiser V8 gets top security honours

The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 has received top honours in at this year's influential British Insurance Car Security Awards in the Large 4x4 category.

The vehicle achieved the maximum five star rating in both 'theft of' and 'theft from' categories in the New Vehicle Security ratings (NVSR). It is the first 4x4 model to receive the accolade.

Paul MacSweeney, security and cost of ownership specialist at consultancy firm SBD, accepted the award on behalf of Toyota and his own company, the two having worked together to achieve the security standard on display in the Land Cruiser V8.

The awards, developed by the Automobile Association, the Department of Transport, the Home Office and the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre at Thatcham, aim to raise public awareness of vehicle security.

This is done by identifying those vehicle manufacturers who show a level of dedication to providing secure vehicles.

SBD has worked with Toyota for a number of years, specifically with its vehicle development departments in Japan and the UK product marketing and European cost of ownership teams.

Miguel Fonseca, managing director of Toyota UK, commented: "We are delighted to receive this award, and recognise the valuable support provided by SBD's security team in ensuring that Toyota vehicles remain in the forefront in the fight against vehicle crime."