SUPERMARKET chain Tesco is buying 200 Toyota Avensis and Corollas for its 900-vehicle essential use, high mileage fleet. Tesco's is one of the largest UK car fleets in which vehicles are purchased outright and its 'need' cars make up 40% of the company's 2,200 vehicle strength. The remaining 1,300 are management user-chooser cars.

Tesco operates a dual Toyota/Ford fleet. The Avensis 1.8 GS estates and five-door and Corolla 1.3 GS five-door cars will replace existing Fords as they reach their replacement date. The new cars will be supplied by Toyota main dealer, Essex Park of Wickford. Maintenance is carried out in-house for cars based within 50 miles of the Tesco Cheshunt head office and at Toyota dealerships elsewhere in the UK. Replacement periods are three years/65,000 miles.