Auris Hybrid The Right Choice For GMB Union’s “buy British” Fleet Focus

KEY POINTS

• GMB union chooses Toyota for new Auris Hybrid hatchback and Touring Sports for its fleet car
• Auris Hybrid, manufactured in Derbyshire, meets GMB’s commitment to buying British and offers competitive prices, running costs and tax rates for drivers, plus generous equipment levels and interior space
• Toyota to supply more than 250 cars for GMB’s national fleet

When GMB, Britain’s third largest trade union, looked to sign a new vehicle fleet deal, “buying British” was a top consideration. The Toyota Auris Hybrid proved the perfect choice, not just for being British-built, but for also delivering benefits across a wide range of other fleet customer priorities.

Toyota Fleet Services has signed a deal with GMB that will see it supply more than 250 Auris Hybrid hatchback and Touring Sports wagon models. The Auris will replace the current Toyota Prius hybrids on the union’s fleet.

Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary said: “GMB members have supported the union in its actions to improve its environmental impact, and the move over to the Auris represents one of the largest changes we have made to meet that demand.

“GMB has moved from Prius to the new Auris as the successful hybrid power vehicle will be a useful tool for our organisers in their constant drive to serve GMB members.”

Both hatchback and Touring Sports versions of new Auris Hybrid are manufactured exclusively at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s factory in Burnaston, Derbyshire, and the cars’ full hybrid powertrains feature high-efficiency 1.8-litre petrol engines produced by TMUK’s plant in Deeside, North Wales.

With respective CO₂ emissions of 91 and 92 g/km, the Excel grade Auris and Auris Touring Sports specified by GMB come with low benefit-in-kind company car tax rates and zero annual road tax (VED). The hybrid system further delivers high fuel economy with official combined cycle figures of 72.4 and 70.6mpg for the hatch and wagon.. Toyota’s hybrid powertrain has also established an excellent reputation for durability and reliability, with low service, maintenance and repair costs.

As well as their attractive running costs, the Toyotas were also favoured for their spacious interiors and high specification. Clever packaging of the hybrid battery means there is no compromise in load space, the hatchback offering 360 litres with the rear seats in place and the Touring Sports able to swallow up to 1,658 litres, with seats folded. The top-of-the-range Excel grade provides automatic headlights and wipers, an auto-diming rear-view mirror, smart entry and start, automatic air conditioning, parking assist with front and rear parking sensors and the Toyota Touch touchscreen multimedia system with Bluetooth and rear-view camera.