Britannia Opts for British Built Toyotas
Britannia, the UK’s second-largest building society, has cited British build as one reason for its decision to switch its car fleet to Toyota. It is now offering entitled members of its 3,500-strong workforce a choice of Avensis and Corolla saloons, hatchbacks and estates for both operational and private use.
Britannia Building Society, established for almost 150 years, has more than two million members and manages £20 billion of group assets. All existing vehicles will be exchanged, when they are 12 months old, for Toyotas, and the Toyotas will continue to be replaced on an annual basis, which means that an estimated 100-150 cars a year are expected to be ordered.
The building society buys its cars outright and provides them for essential users who drive more than 12,000 miles a year or have no permanent base of work, and also for those employees entitled to market-related benefits.
Britannia staff were closely involved in the decision to switch to Toyota, following a series of test drives. A drive-in day is to be held in December at the Society’s main office in Leek in Staffordshire, giving more drivers a chance to get acquainted with the choices available within the Avensis and Corolla ranges.
“Toyota was chosen for a number of reasons,” said Tim Wright, Purchasing Officer at Britannia. “The fact that the cars are built in Britain – and close by, in Derbyshire – was significant for Britannia, as was the size of the range and the short delivery timescale. A number of staff tested the cars initially and their feedback was very good,” he explained. “We’re looking forward to introducing Toyotas across the business in the coming months.”
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