The 2012 Toyota Avensis is continuing to meet the needs of one of Toyota’s largest and long standing fleet customers. Ashfield In2Focus is the UK’s leading provider of contract services to the pharmaceutical industry, and for being such a longstanding customer – the Managing Director and Business Service Director were given an exclusive tour of the UK Burnaston plant to drive the car and see the build process first hand.
The partnership between Ashfield In2Focus and Toyota began back in 1998 with the first agreement being signed to take Toyota company cars, mainly the Avensis model. Since then nearly 5,000 Avensis have been delivered averaging three to four hundred units per year. The Avensis are used by their field based employees who cover on average up to 30,000 miles per year and are supplied on contract hire.
Ashfield Healthcare was established in 1997 by Chris and Sam Corbin, who spotted a gap in the market providing sales and nursing services to the pharmaceutical industry. They merged with In2Focus in 2007 and they are now a wholly owned subsidiary of United Drug PLC, one of the world’s leading healthcare service providers. Operating from purpose built, modern offices in Ashby de la Zouch, Ashfield In2Focus has expanded with representation in the United States and Ireland. As a global division with immense resources, they are able to provide clients with highly skilled bespoke teams and innovative services.
It was therefore appropriate that when the 2012 Avensis model was announced that Chris and Sam had the opportunity themselves to see first hand the Toyota production system at work and drive the new car around the on-site test track. To accompany them was Tony Walker, Deputy Managing Director for Toyota Manufacturing UK.
“At Ashfield In2Focus, we are proud of the partnership that we have developed with Toyota,” says Chris Corbin, Founder and Managing Director of Ashfield In2Focus. “The vehicles provide us with the full package to supply to our employees; they are efficient, safe and reliable. The new model is a comfortable ride, looks modern and is cost efficient.”
The Toyota Avensis, now in its third generation, has been manufactured at the UK Burnaston plant since 1998 and available in either saloon or tourer bodystyles. Avensis is Toyota’s premium European model and can meet quickly the needs of the customer, taking just eight to ten weeks from order to delivery in the UK market. Fitted with Toyota Optimal Drive as standard, Avensis has a range of petrol and diesel engines designed to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy, with the tax efficient 2.0-litre D-4D engine now emitting just 119 g/km of CO2.
