CITY CAR CLUB CONTINUE TO BUILD LOW EMISSION FLEET

City Car Club are adding 75 newly launched Auris Hybrid Touring Sports models to their fleet, forming part of the 350 cars they will be purchasing from Toyota this year through Toyota Financial Services.

The leading UK car sharing company has grown steadily since it was formed and now runs a fleet of 650 vehicles providing service to customers in 14 UK cities.  The scheme, which enables club members to rent a car for as little as one hour, is proving increasingly popular as people become more budget conscious.

Auris Touring Sports is the latest full hybrid model to be launched by Toyota, built at its UK manufacturing facility in Burnaston, Derby alongside the Auris hatchback and Avensis.

Auris Touring Sports marks a return for Toyota to the compact wagon market, and another new segment for the introduction of its full hybrid technology.  Clever packaging means that no compromise is made on boot space with the hybrid battery located under the rear seat.

With class-leading CO₂ emissions from 85g/km, Auris Touring Sport’s hybrid technology is helping City Car Club reduce the environmental impact of the vehicles they run.  Toyota models account for more than 80 per cent of their fleet, including Yaris Hybrid so helping keep carbon emissions to a minimum.

James Finlayson, Managing Director of City Car Club, visited the Burnaston plant for the hand-over of the new cars and had the opportunity to tour the factory and witness first-hand the world-renowned Toyota Production System in operation.  He said; “I was extremely impressed, I had assumed it was just an assembly plant but saw how Toyota manufactures all the car’s major components. It is very much ‘Made in Britain’ which we at City Car Club support wherever possible.”

Neil Broad, General Manager Toyota and Lexus Fleet Services said; “More and more businesses are finally getting to see the financial and environmental benefits which can be achieved by switching their fleet to hybrid. City Car Club are a good example of how choosing this technology can tick both boxes and we have been delighted to work with them over the years helping with their fleet requirements. ”

Auris Touring Sports went on sale in July and is available with petrol, diesel or hybrid power trains.  The production of this car in the UK has secured extra investment and employment for the Burnaston plant.