Toyota renewal ‘easy decision’ for Webbs

“The great thing with running Toyotas is that I don’t get any phone calls from drivers!” says the S Webb & Sons (Distributors) Ltd director who introduced the brand to his company. The nationwide wholesale book distributor and merchandiser has just renewed its solus agreement with Toyota to supply cars for its high-mileage sales fleet.

“We did look at other manufacturers,” says the company’s Managing Director Philip Jones, “but the level of support we get from Toyota, and the vehicles themselves, made it an easy decision to stay with the brand. Vehicle selection is an important decision for the company, as we provide retailers with a fully merchandised book offering, so therefore the field salesforce require a hardworking, reliable vehicle.”

Twenty-three new cars were recently delivered to Webbs, which is based in Menai Bridge. Its fleet of 35 vehicles is one of the largest on Anglesey, and six years ago it switched to using Toyota diesel cars for its sales and operations staff based all over the UK.

Now the company has upgraded its Toyota Corollas to Auris T3S, as well as renewing a number of its Avensis T2 and T3 diesels.

“The cars have been absolutely brilliant,” says Philip Jones, who himself drives a Toyota RAV4. “The team are pleased with them, reliability is excellent and customer service from Toyota has been very good, so from a fleet-management perspective we’re more than happy.

“The lack of calls we get from the sales force reporting issues with the vehicles is a great reflection on Toyota’s reliability. Fuel economy is good, and the vehicles offer good value for money in terms of specification.”

Mr Jones also singled out availability of satellite navigation on certain Avensis models as a major plus point for his field staff. “That’s been fantastic for them, so this time round we’ve taken on more vehicles equipped with satnav for our business development staff and non-regular-call users.”

Drivers are covering between 70,000 and 150,000 miles over the three-year life of their cars. “So it’s important that comfort is good, and with Auris it’s even better than on the Corolla,” says Mr Jones who, supported by the drivers, originally opted for Toyota following previous positive experiences with a former company.

Since that time Webbs has continued to use Toyota business centre Lindop Brothers of Queensferry. The cars are supplied on contract hire by Toomey Hire & Leasing.