Webb's Books A Ride With Toyota Auris Hybrids

EPSOM, UNITED KINGDOM – October 18, 2010: Thirteen Auris hybrid hatchbacks formed part of a recent delivery of 22 new Toyota cars for leading books wholesaler S Webb & Son (Distributors) Ltd.

Based at Menai Bridge in North Wales, Webb’s distributes and merchandises more than 12,000 product lines, covering books, toys, stationery, cards and gifts. It has recently expanded its operations to include Ireland alongside the UK.

The company has operated an all-Toyota fleet for almost 10 years, and now runs up to 40 cars, the majority of them Avensis TR and T2 diesels.

The Toyota Auris five-door hybrids are replacing Auris diesel models introduced three years earlier.

“Our main criteria when reviewing the fleet are the price of the contract hire, the economics of running the cars, performance that’s suitable for drivers covering long distances and, most importantly, reliability,” says Director and Company Secretary Mike Webb.

“Generally we have no problems at all with the Toyotas. When we told the drivers that they would be getting Auris hybrids, some expressed concern about having to drive automatics, but after the first few days we had received no negative comments. In fact, we were getting messages saying ‘thanks for giving us such a lovely car!’”

The Auris hatchbacks are used by Webb’s national sales executives and the Avensis models by senior executives and sales and operations managers. Average mileage is 93,000 over the three-year contracts with Toomey Skyway Leasing. The cars are supplied, as they have been for the past 10 years, through Toyota centre Lindop Brothers of Queensferry.

The innovative Toyota Auris with Hybrid Synergy Drive offers CO2 emissions from 89g/m, zero road tax and fuel economy of more than 74mpg (T4 89g model as ordered by S Webb, combined cycle). This allows more than 700 miles to be covered on one tank of petrol.

Powered by an electric motor and 1.8 litre petrol engine, and driving through a continuously variable transmission, there are three different driving modes available, ECO, EV (electric vehicle) and Power. Key features on T4 models include LED running and rear lights, USB/Aux in connections, ECO Drive monitor, push-button start, climate control and alloy wheels.