Signature Class tops poll

Toyota’s Signature Class has been named by the Reader’s Digest as the most trusted brand for manufacturer-certified used-car sales for the third successive year.

It has been a part of the used-car scene since 1997 when the marque set up the programme and there are now more than 50,000 such vehicles on our roads.

Mark Young, Toyota NZ’s general manager of used vehicles, says: “Signature Class is an important part of ours and Toyota’s dealer networks’ business. 

“This is a fantastic endorsement of our brand and the increasing trust many New Zealanders have in our used-vehicle product.”

An average of 2,100 Signature Class vehicles are sold each year after undergoing inspection and refurbishment through Toyota’s facility in Thames. 

Since 2004, 80 per cent have been used vehicles that were first sold new in New Zealand with the rest being brought over second-hand from Japan.

To increase the availability of lower-emissions vehicles in New Zealand and support its target to reduce carbon emissions, Toyota sources used petrol hybrids and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from Japan for the Signature Class range. 

Toyota NZ has also taken out the most trusted car brand award for the 18th consecutive year.

The Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand awards, now in their 23rd year, are based on the views of more than 1,800 adults, who are asked to rate the brands they trust the most. 

They scored over 72 categories of products and services across a broad range of industries. The research is undertaken independently of Reader’s Digest.