TOYOTA ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

Nineteen Toyota cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs-more than from any other manufacturer-are in the "Best of 2002" list in the Green Book published by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Toyota also has the most vehicles on the list of 12 gasoline-powered "Greener Choices 2002"-Prius, RAV4, Tacoma, and Highlander. In addition, one third of the "Greenest Vehicles of 2002" of any engine type are Toyota vehicles-Prius, RAV4-EV, ECHO (manual transmission), and Corolla (manual transmission). Green Book ratings are based on measurements of tailpipe emissions that are thought to threaten public health and add to global warming. To see selections from the Green Book, go to "Highlights of the Model Year" at www.greenercars.com.

Toyota releases its first North American Environmental Report

Toyota has released its first comprehensive North America Environmental Report detailing the company's progress and plans in the design, manufacture, sale, and recycling of vehicles. The report follows the guiding principles of Toyota Motor Corporation's worldwide Earth Charter and Environmental Action Plan. To review the full report, go to www.toyota.com/environment. Key company goals include:
Secure top levels of fuel efficiency in all vehicle classes among full-line manufacturers, exceeding CAFE standards

• By 2005, reduce energy usage by 15% per unit of production from the 2000 base year, which in turn decreases CO2 emissions by 15% per unit of production
• Develop a database within two years to track greenhouse gas emissions associated with sales and distribution operations
• Implement material and design strategies that will increase the industrial recyclability of Toyota vehicles to a 95% recovery rate by 2015.
  

  Read more.

All Lexus V-8 passenger cars certified ULEV for 2002

Lexus' ULEV (ultra-low emission vehicle) V-8 engine is now available in three models-the LS 430 sedan, the 2002 SC 430 hardtop convertible and the GS 430 high-performance sport sedan. The 4.3-liter four-cam 32-valve engine is rated at 290 hp. In addition to the V-8 models, the 2002 Lexus ES 300 4-door luxury sedan is also ULEV certified, with a 3.0-liter 210-hp V-6 engine.

 Prius news: sales shift to dealers; production to increase for 2002

As of early January, Prius product reservations and sales shifted from the Toyota Web site to participating Toyota dealers who now handle the entire transaction. In addition, Toyota has announced that the U.S. will receive a significant increase in its allotment of Prius cars, raising the figure to 17,000 units for 2002. Both developments reflect increasing consumer demand for hybrid cars plus thewider recognition they are gaining as mainstream products.

Toyota Motor Corporation Executive Vice President Dr. Akihiko Saito expressed a long-term wide-ranging vision for hybrid technology at January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. He said Toyota plans to produce 300,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide in 2005 and pointed out that hybrid technology will be built into fuel cell cars of the future to make them more efficient. "For a better environment," he added, "we believe hybrid technology will be around for the next 100 years, even if cars eventually fly."

Toyota Environmental Update produced by Robert Oberhand & Assoc., Chatsworth, CA, in conjunction with Toyota's External and Regulatory Affairs Department.

^ Back To Top