TOYOTA is aiming to boost fleet sales when the Auris replaces the Corolla next month.

Currently, fleet sales account for around 25% of Corolla sales in the UK, but with the Auris the firm wants that figure to rise to 40%.

The Auris is an all-new lower-medium model which goes on sale next month in five-door hatchback guise, with three-door versions due to follow in April.

Tim Copland, general manager of Toyota Fleet, said: ‘With the new visual appeal of Auris and, we believe, best-in-class drive plus high spec, we will be in a strong position with both user-choosers and the essential user market.

‘We now have a vehicle with genuine driver appeal in the sector.’

Strong residual values of around 40% will certainly help with competitive contract hire rates, as will Toyota’s intention to limit short-cycle daily rental business to about 8% of its fleet business.

  • Toyota Auris first drive in Roadtests on Thursday.