TOYOTA will launch two key fleet models equipped with Euro IV diesel engines by June, offering company car drivers a greater opportunity to avoid the 3% diesel supplement on benefit-in-kind tax.

Already expected to be first on the scene with Euro IV diesel in May with the new Avensis D-4D, Toyota has confirmed that a Euro IV version of the Corolla will follow within weeks.

The diesel Corolla, expected to go on sale in June, will share its engine with the Avensis, offering 114bhp and 206 lb-ft of torque. Fuel consumption and emissions figures are yet to be confirmed, but are expected to be better than the 48.7mpg on the combined cycle and 155g/km offered by the Avensis.

Car manufacturers made several false starts in their predictions of when they would be in a position to offer Euro IV diesels ahead of the official deadline in 2005, sparked by a desire to gain a competitive advantage over rivals by ensuring low tax liability for company car drivers. But some have blamed slow progress on the global cost of achieving Euro IV standard just to gain a short-term benefit in the UK. Volkswagen and Audi will follow this summer with Euro IV compliant engines in the Touran and new A3.

Meanwhile, Vauxhall is preparing a Euro IV Astra 1.7 CDTi, with the new Meriva also gaining a Euro IV diesel by the end of the year.

Toyota's commercial fleet managers can now take advantage of the group's Business Centre Network, spanning across 90 UK dealerships. Each centre will include workshop space for commercial vehicles and out of hours servicing designed to support fleet managers. They will also have at least three commercial demonstrators, one member of staff assigned to LCVs and the ability to assist with local advertising.