Cheap motor insurer raises the standard!
'Red lorry, yellow lorry, red lorry, yellow lorry, etc' is one of many tongue twisters you, as cheap motor insurers would tirelessly learn as a kid. Rather like 'She sells sea shells on the sea shore', but with a less salty theme running through it. Now, this cheap motor insurer probably won't be alone in suggesting that 'Red Toyota, white Toyota, red Toyota, white Toyota' doesn't have quite the same childish impact, or necessary potential to tie your cheap motor insuring tongue in knots as the traditional ditty, but that hasn't stopped the Japanese manufacturer's patriotic English branch in Derbyshire giving it a go. Only their attempt has absolutely nothing to do with rhymes, difficult or otherwise; and thankfully has no calling for male production voice choirs or paintshop quartets. No siree. Quite literally my cheap motor insurance followers, workers at the Burnaston plant have jumped into 400 Toyota Yaris', finished off in either red or white livery, and spent the productive end of a couple of 12 hour shifts continually reversing, turning and parking said popular models on part of its sprawling site in the proud heart of our nation. But with a twist all of its own.
By careful planning and organisation, not to mention the level of choreography that wouldn't look out of place on a smaller stage, a team of 40 yard drivers and workshop technicians have recreated the flag of St. George. Much Blood, sweat, toil and tears later, and their sterling efforts can be viewed from space. Possibly not, but at least 1000ft upwardly and for miles around, as the makeshift flag measures some 80metres by 40 and is seen as a magnanimous message from a compact player. It's the management and staffs way of cheering on our lads in Germany, and carries with it a heartfelt message of support from all 4,350 employees at the plant.
One of the team involved in orchestrating the car park camaraderie is Stu Winterburn, a driver trainer from Mickleover who had this to say; "It's been hard work and really tested our driving skills, but our boys are worth every minute. This is the best shot we've had at the World Cup in years and we want to do everything we can to help England on their way. Car-mon England!" it wasn't hard to find people to explain the reasoning behind such a sweeping gesture, as Richard Koscinski, from Alvaston, a transporter driver added, "I agree, this is our best chance and if Peter Crouch's football is as good as his dancing we're onto a winner."
Robotics-aside, and yes, at this flagship Toyota plant there are animatronics aplenty, everyone was four, four two behind England, including the top brass, who not only allowed time during the shifts for the logistical exercise to unfurl before their, and our, eyes, but also provide the facilities for their staff to watch all the big games involving the national team. Burnaston produces Corolla and Avensis models at a rate of one car every 45 seconds, an average which admittedly may drop away slightly if England make it to the finals. With so many portable flags making it onto the door frames of cars across the country, it's a novel turning of the tables by producing a giant flag from cars. In a similar vein to how insureyourmotor.co.uk challenge the concept of cheap motor insurance amongst their competitors by breaking down all previous defences that stood in the way of getting the right result for the cheap motor insurers legion of loyal fans.
Date - 21/09/2006
