The annual Fleet CRM survey was conducted again in July and August this year, with 489 completed responses from Fleet Guests who had opted-in via myFleet or their Account Managers. Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey and provided us with important insights and candid feedback to ensure we continue to improve.

The strength of relationship between guests and Toyota remains strong after a resurgence in 2015. Toyota continues to lead all manufacturers involved in the survey and almost two-thirds of guests rate their relationship as excellent. Encouragingly, this excellence is seen across all retail categories, from Silver, Gold and Platinum Fleet to Non-Profit Organisations and Local & State Governments.

Overall consideration for Toyota remains unchallenged and from guest responses we have identified five key ‘drivers’ for an excellent relationship, as well as highlighting some areas of improvement. Our results and commitment against each can be summarised as:

Both the Toyota Brand and Toyota Dealerships have worked hard to further improve in 2016 and we’re delighted that this has been recognised by the majority of guests, who have been promoters and supporters of Toyota.

Thank you also to those who raised any issues in the survey responses, we are currently in the process of responding to you in order to address these concerns. At Toyota Australia we appreciate all feedback from our guests and we will continue to pursue our ‘Customer First’ philosophy.

Corolla Ascent Sedan has always offered a lot for fleets, and now there’s even more to win you over. From early 2017, it will feature Emergency Brake Signal to help protect your drivers and a handy 4.2” colour Multi-Information Display to put everything at their fingertips.

For added peace of mind Corolla Ascent Sedan now comes with the optional Toyota Safety Sense Pack. It comes with a Pre-Collision Safety System, Lane Departure Alert and Automatic High Beam – all of which are powerful features to keep your drivers safe on the road.

As an added bonus, the interior and exterior have also been updated with a stylish new look that’s sure to get your business noticed.

Contact Toyota Fleet Call Centre 1800 444 847 to find out more.

Road-safety and insurance experts are highlighting the significant economic benefits for business fleets gained by investing in improved road safety. They argue that businesses can justify higher spending on road safety by demonstrating it can increase profits and enhance their corporate reputation – in addition to preventing injury and saving lives.

In assessing financial risk, too many businesses fall into the trap of focusing on the costs of insurance. They fail to consider the “hidden” uninsured costs – such as vehicle downtime, absenteeism, staff morale, late deliveries to customers and the costs of investigations and administration – mainly because they are hard to quantify. This has been likened to an iceberg where the “invisible” uninsured costs of road trauma can be many times greater than “visible” insurable costs. One local insurance company recently estimated the ratio at 5:1 – while admitting this was conservative. The International Loss Control Institute puts the impost on business at between $8 and $53 in hidden costs for every $1 of quantifiable insurable costs.

A new resource to help businesses mount a financial case to justify greater investment in fleet safety has been released by the National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP). This network, which exists to support Australian businesses in developing a positive road-safety culture, has developed a calculator that allows businesses to calculate the total costs, hidden and quantifiable, of a vehicle accident. It enables an organisation to forecast the required amount of turnover (how many additional products or services must be produced or delivered) to cover the hidden costs beyond what an insurer provides. Tailored examples highlight the different structures and needs across four sectors: manufacturing and services, state and local government, health and emergency services, and other community services and not-for-profit organisations.

Calculations include key indicators such as the frequency of accidents for a fleet, including the overall claim rate per 100,000 kilometres travelled, the distance travelled per incident, and the overall claim rate per vehicle. The calculator also illustrates that even a “grey” fleet will contribute to additional hidden, uninsured costs should it be involved in a traffic incident.

“Understanding the total costs will help justify investment in an improved road safety culture within an organisation,” the NRSPP says. “Reducing road crashes reduces insurance claims, insurance premiums and also uninsured costs. This all acts positively to increase profits, and protect reputation.”

In addition to fewer accidents, investment in driver education can also generate significant economic benefits in terms of better fuel economy, lower maintenance costs and improved vehicle condition. Overseas research shows the best drivers can reduce total operating costs by more than 12 per cent but the worst drivers can drive up costs by more than 13 per cent. The difference between these two extremes can run into thousands of dollars per vehicle over its life – potentially a six-figure difference even for a medium-sized fleet.

Click here to download a copy of the NRSPP calculator.

 

Uniting Communities runs more than 90 community programs. Over 1,500 staff and volunteers support more than 20,000 people, including the elderly, people with disabilities, youth and more, through a diverse range of services.

In 2010, Uniting Communities decided to implement a carbon neutral program to help protect the future of the people they support.

“Research shows it will be the elderly, socially disadvantaged and low-income people who will be most affected – and that’s our clients.” – Simon Schrapel, Chief Executive, Uniting Communities

As a not-for-profit organisation, the potential to save on operating costs to meet funding commitments was another powerful incentive. Fleet initiatives, building upgrades, policy, procurement and behavioural change could all help to achieve these savings. Fleet was a good place to start.

In terms of the Toyota range, Uniting Communities were spoilt for choice – even with hybrid vehicles. And Toyota’s commitment to offer a hybrid variant across all vehicles in the future was another great selling point. That’s what cemented Toyota Fleet as their preferred supplier.

Toyota Fleet helped Uniting Communities achieve their carbon neutral certification by supplying hybrid vehicles. Camry Hybrid now accounts for almost 75% of their passenger fleet of 125. Corolla Hybrid is another welcome addition.

“Every hybrid conversion gives us an annual reduction of 1.2 tonnes of CO2, along with savings of over $650 per vehicle. This saves over 100 tonnes of CO2 – and $50,000 every year.” – Lee Sauerwald, Executive Manager Corporate Services, Uniting Communities

As well as considering green credentials, vehicle safety is paramount for Uniting Communities, who always strive to buy 5 Star ANCAP rated vehicles.

They were impressed with Camry Hybrid’s long list of safety features, which help to keep their clients and staff safe. Its reliability was also attractive, as support workers rely on fleet vehicles to deliver vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in the community.

Running the Camry Hybrid in their fleet for the past five years, Uniting Communities continues to receive positive feedback from employees. They like the fact it keeps their carbon footprint lower, and the additional safety features give them peace of mind.

Immersed in the community service sector, support workers know the value of service only too well. It’s those strong relationships that can make all the difference.

“We receive great customer service from Toyota Fleet. They support us with vehicles that help us achieve our financial, social and strategic environmental goals, for the benefit of our community.”