SCOTTISH telecoms group Thus has signed a deal with Toyota making it sole supplier for its 300-vehicle fleet and has awarded Lex Vehicle Leasing the contract to finance and manage the cars.

The company, called Scottish Telecom until its demerger from the Scottish Power Group, is one of the UK's largest internet service providers and also provides call centre services for clients including the BBC, Compaq and the US Embassy.

The company had previously organised its 300 operational cars on the same all-make user-chooser basis as its 100 management vehicles.

Earlier this year however, it undertook a comprehensive review of its fleet-management programme and invited manufacturers and finance providers to tender for its business. The company said its decision to select a single make of vehicle for its operational cars was mainly based on wholelife costs and reliability. LVL will supply the cars on three-year full-maintenance contract hire.

Thus head of procurement, Ken Moncrieff, said he was confident LVL would provide 'a positive, proactive and value-added service in successfully implementing our fleet management contract'.

Toyota's fleet general manager Jon Pollock said: 'This is a significant agreement for us. Thus is a major player and was clearly aware of the cost-effectiveness and dependability of Toyota vehicles and the support we are able to provide.

'Our reputation is one of our biggest assets and we look forward to working with Thus and Lex to justify it.'