There have been an increasing number of car manufacturers introducing more environmentally friendly vehicles in recent years designed with the capability to reduce CO2 emissions. However, Toyoto took things a little further by utilising some plastic parts for their Aygo model that were made using eco-friendly ingredients.
For instance, one of the natural resources that could be utilised is the castor oil plant. Eco-friendly plastics have been used for things like the liner in the boot, the cover for the spare wheel and trims for the doors.
Sounds good. Well, not if you are Tony Steeles from Croydon who bought a Toyota Aygo!
Apparently, shortly after taking possession of this car, he claimed that squirrels had taken a liking to some of the Aygo’s plastics and chewed things like some of the trims and the aerial. In fact, the car has been repaired several times – all at the dealer’s expense.
No other cars in the vicinity have had the same problem so it does beg the question whether these particular rodents in Croydon are concentrating on the Aygo as part of their diet. Whether they are eating the plastic as a starter, main course or dessert we shall probably never know.
Interestingly, Mr Steeles has changed his Aygo for a new Toyota Yaris so hopefully will not have the same problem. However, just in case, he now puts the car in the garage through the night. Let us hope that the offending squirrels concentrate on eating things like nuts, insects and green vegetation.
Toyota is looking into whether any changes can be made to their products to stop this happening in the future.
Here at AIB Insurance, we would be interested to hear from anybody else if they have encountered a similar problem with squirrels or any other wildlife for that matter nibbling at their cars.
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