Imagine learning to drive in an Audi. Well, that is what pupils are able to do with Basingstoke Driving School.
Tony Cottrell recently took delivery of an Audi A1 after opting to buy the car from Basingstoke Audi. Colin Manning the dealerships Sales Manager said "the Audi A1 is the perfect driving school car as it is small with great visibility and it has an excellent 1.6 TDI engine. It has certainly been attracting a lot of people, who have been saying they cant believe they are driving an Audi. It's just taking the accessibility to a new level as the lessons will not be any more expensive. I know that Tony is having great success with the car."
To help more driving schools purchase an A1, Audi have launched a driving school programme.
Colin said "Audi have put together a promotional package to allow driving schools to purchase a car. It comes on a monthly contract and includes fitting dual controls, livery and servicing costs."
Instructors can choose an 18-month or 24-month profile with 20,000 or 30,000 miles per year, with the usual Audi Finance standards and terms applying.
According to Colin, Tony was hot off the mark when he ordered his car late last year. "His is the first driving school in Basingstoke to have an Audi A1, and it is one of the first nationally", said Colin.
He cited Basingstoke Driving School is a good example where Basingstoke Audi is able to work together with local businesses. Colin said "People often have a preconception that Audis are expensive cars, but in terms of low emmissions, fuel economy and resale value, they are not expensive and the A1 demonstrates that."
Driving instructors' livelihoods depend on their car and their ability to stand out in a crowded market place. Tony couldn't agree more and has found the A1 a very exciting prospect. Based in Hatch Warren, he has run his Basingstoke Driving School for eight years and has seen pupils take more than 300 tests. With an impressive pass rate at twice the national average, he can boast an enviable 80 per cent pass rate. And Tony has already seen his first pupil pass her driving test in the A1.
Clearly delighted with the car - which won What Car? Car of the year in 2011 - Tony said "The first thing that hits you is the brand and image of the car and that comes across really strong. For me, that was one of the factors I wanted to differentiate from other driving schools."
Tony Cottrell from Basingstoke Driving School, collecting his Audi A1 from Andy Akers at Basingstoke Audi.