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Businesses across Australia are turning to the world’s most popular hybrid
vehicle, the Toyota Prius, as they search for economical and environmental
solutions to running their fleet.
The current-model Prius has enjoyed a meteoric increase in fleet sales over
its predecessor, with fleet sales having risen twenty-fold.
Of the current Prius’ 1877 sales, the overall percentage going to business
fleets is six times greater than that of the first model as of June 2005.
Toyota Australia manager for government sales and Prius Vic Johnston says
businesses have now developed a greater understanding of the benefits of hybrid
technology.
“It makes good business sense: Prius is the most environmentally friendly car
on sale in Australia,” said Vic Johnston.
“More importantly for businesses, it is particularly cost-efficient to run.”
A marine technology importer and distributor based on Sydney’s northern
beaches is just one of the many businesses that have chosen Prius for their
fleet.
Oceantalk imports and distributes marine electronic equipment such as Global
Positioning Systems (GPS) and sonar and radar equipment to boat builders and
retailers across the country.
Oceantalk managing director Robin Kydd says the Prius makes sense for his
company.
“In the marine industry, looking after the environment is a high priority, so
it is logical for us to use Prius,” said Robin Kydd.
“The Prius also makes financial sense because our sales representatives
travel huge distances and it runs as well as any other car while achieving
remarkable fuel economy – with petrol prices going the way they are, that is
more important than ever.”
According to Robin Kydd, the company’s Prius fleet has already made a big
impression.
“At the first location we went to visit with the car, we had a car park full
of workers coming out to look at it,” he said.
“We distribute high-technology products, so having a high-technology vehicle
for the sales guys is particularly appropriate – and they really like driving
them too.
“Oceantalk encourages better use of technology and user-friendly technology,
which is exactly what Toyota is doing with the Prius.”
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