TOYOTA is to supply 2,000 vehicles to credit hire and accident management company Ellen Group in a £20 million deal that is claimed to be an industry first. Ellen Group will own the vehicles, but will use Toyota's 214 franchised dealers as a base to provide vehicles to all Toyota

customers involved in an accident with a like-for-like car if the vehicles is being repaired by the dealership. The credit hire and accident management firm will then charge the dealers when the vehicles are used. However, if the driver was not at fault Ellen Group can offer to reclaim the cost from the at-fault driver's insurance company. The company has acquired 2,000 Toyotas, the majority being Avensis and Corolla, although there will also be RAV4s, Celicas and MR2s on the fleet.