Australia Post Fleet Will Feature More Hybrids

In a move that is sure to please Toyota and shareholders alike, Australia Post will be switching its corporate car fleet over to Toyota vehicles, with a particular emphasis on the Prius Hybrid. With over 1000 sedans, wagons and utes in service, the move is aimed at substantially reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions.

Australia Post, one of the country's largest employers, has signed a two-year deal with Toyota that includes the purchase of four models from the Toyota line-up - Prius, Yaris, Corolla and Camry. The Prius currently sits atop the Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide, with a perfect five-star rating. All Yaris models are four-star rated, Corolla models are 3.5 or 4.5 star-rated and Camry models 3.5 or 4 star-rated.

It is reported that the Prius will make up around 60 percent of the total Australia Post deal which, aside from drastically cutting fuel costs, is good news for the environment. Toyota Australia's corporate manager of national fleet, Deborah Bacon, outlined the benefits;

"For every Prius they buy, Australia Post will save at least $2,340 a year on fuel compared with their existing large petrol cars and more than $700 a year compared with their large LPG vehicles. Prius also emits less than half the carbon dioxide at just 106 grams/km - the lowest of any car on sale in Australia - and consumes just 4.4 litres/100km."

Australia Post's group manager for corporate public affairs, Mr Stephen Walter, explained that the decision to switch to Toyota was made after environmental, economical, and other assessments had been completed.

"The decision by Australia Post to buy Toyota cars is an important milestone in our commitment to cutting fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. We take great care when selecting new vehicles to ensure they will enhance our environmental performance - and that is why we have signed up with Toyota."

With fuel efficiency and emissions continuing to influence the car-buying habits of the Australian public and businesses alike, we can expect to see vehicles like the Prius become an increasingly common sight on our roads. As far as the environment is concerned, that's a solid step in the right direction.