5 Minutes with Kim Davies, Business Centre Manager at Toyota
We chat with Kim Davies, Business Centre Manager at Toyota
From fluctuating operational costs to sustainability targets, local businesses are facing a complex landscape. What are the biggest challenges you’re seeing when companies review their vehicles today?
I'd say the biggest challenge is knowing what's right for their business. Costs have gone up across the board, so people are looking much more closely at fuel, servicing and finance than they did a few years ago. On top of that, there's a lot of interest in hybrid and electric vehicles, but quite often people just want someone to explain the options in plain English so they can make the right decision.
How does the Business Centre help local firms make cost-effective vehicle decisions?
I always start by finding out about the business rather than talking about vehicles. How many miles do they cover? What sort of work do they do? Are they carrying equipment or mainly travelling to meetings? Once I've got a feel for how they work, I can recommend the right car or commercial vehicle for the job, rather than just trying to sell them something.
EV and hybrid options are evolving rapidly. How do you guide businesses through choosing the right car for their specific needs?
The first thing I say is, “Don't overcomplicate it.” We look at the sort of journeys they're doing, whether they've got somewhere to charge an EV and what they need the vehicle to do every day. Sometimes a self-charging hybrid is the better option, sometimes it's fully electric. It really depends on the business. At the end of the day, it's about making sure they leave with a vehicle they're happy with and that works for the way they do business.
Many smaller companies assume tailored fleet advice is reserved for corporate giants. Does a business need a large fleet to access dedicated support?
Not at all. Some of my customers have one vehicle and some have much larger fleets. It really doesn't matter. If it's important to their business, it's important to me. Everyone gets the same level of advice and the same support, whether they're buying one vehicle or fifty.
For businesses looking to scale or refresh multiple vehicles, what are the advantages of the Toyota Fleet Partnership?
It's really about helping businesses plan ahead. If they commit to registering six cars or commercial vehicles over a 12 month period, they can access enhanced fleet discounts. The good thing is they don't all have to arrive at once – they can be registered at different times throughout the year, so businesses can replace or add vehicles when it suits them.
From a budgeting point of view, there's no deposit or finance payments until each vehicle arrives, which helps with cash flow. I can also talk customers through the different finance options, whether that's direct purchase, hire purchase, balloon lease, or contract hire, so we can find what works best for their business.
As their dedicated account manager, I'm their main point of contact throughout. I get to know their business, understand what they're trying to achieve and help them plan ahead. It makes life easier because they're dealing with someone who already knows them, rather than explaining everything again every time they need another vehicle.
What is the benefit of working with a dedicated Business Centre specialist who understands the North Wales and Cheshire region?
I think local knowledge makes a real difference. Because I'm based here, I understand the area and I get to know the people behind the businesses. That means I can give advice that's relevant to how they actually work, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. More than anything, I want customers to know they've always got someone they can pick up the phone to if they need advice, whether they're buying their first vehicle or managing a growing fleet.
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