About

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, parts and accessories, and Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly and indirectly employs around 94,000 people in Europe and has invested over €7 billion since 1990. Toyota’s operations in Europe are supported by a network of 30 National Marketing and Sales Companies across 56 countries, a total of around 3,000 sales outlets, and nine manufacturing plants. In 2009, Toyota sold 882.000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Europe. For more information, visit www.toyota.eu

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Strategy

Toyota Motor Europe sees climate change as one of the most significant global environmental issues and recognises that it poses a potentially serious threat to a broad spectrum of human living environments and natural habitats.

We accept the scientific evidence cited by IPCC and other sources, which points to the fact that global warming is taking place and that the increase in emissions of human induced Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) is the likely cause. We will make every effort to work with other European stakeholders to stimulate appropriate and effective countermeasures to global warming.

Looking to the future, the automotive industry can make a substantial contribution to the creation of a low-carbon society by improving fuel efficiency and developing and introducing new technologies which reduce emissions and enable personal mobility. We will make continuous efforts to reduce C02 missions of cars sold. Our technological leadership is further demonstrated by the introduction of a fleet of 200 Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles that will be tested in 18 European countries. At the same time, we are testing Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles in Germany. Plug-in Hybrid technology will make an important contribution towards ensuring sustainable mobility. In our view, this hybrid technology is the best way of achieving the major efficiency improvements needed and will pave the way towards a low-carbon future.

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In order to reduce the harmful effects of global warming at the rate required, measures are needed worldwide that go beyond present international initiatives like the Kyoto Protocol. To achieve significant emissions reductions without compromising future prosperity, Toyota believes the most important requirement for a car company is the development, introduction, and widespread adoption of innovative technologies. An effective international framework has the potential to stimulate and accelerate developments in this area.

Toyota is committed to making contributions in the areas where it can have the greatest impact, for instance by strengthening its efforts in the field of technological innovation, including development of fuel-efficient vehicles and diversification of energy sources.

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CO₂ Emissions

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) continues its quest for year-on-year reductions in CO2 emissions and despite the economic crisis steps up its use of green energy, according to data released early October 2010, in the 2010 Sustainability Report. Available online at www.toyota.eu/sustainability the report details Toyota’s environmental, social and economic performance for fiscal year (FY) 2009 which runs from April 2009 to March 2010.

For vehicle sales, the company achieved a 9% reduction in the average CO2 emissions of Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in Europe (EU27). Emissions fell from 145 g/km in 2008 to 132.2 g/km in 2009 (1). This is a result of the company’s continued investment into innovative technologies applied as Toyota Optimal Drive and the increased popularity of Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) and Lexus Hybrid Drive (LHD).

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With the start of production of the Toyota Auris HSD in Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, Toyota marks the first local production of full hybrid technology in Europe. The vehicle has a best-in-class fuel consumption of 3.8l/100 km and emissions of 89 g CO2/km.

As part of Toyota’s global Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) project, TME is leasing 200 Prius Plug-in-Hybrid Vehicles to selected partners in 18 European countries, who will road test the cars. The vehicle is equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged from a normal electricity socket and has an EV range of 20km. This results in emissions of just 59 g CO2/km in combined cycle.

This commitment to CO2 emissions reduction is not limited to the product offer, but extends to production, logistics and sales operations. CO2 emissions from TME Manufacturing companies have been reduced by 12.6% vs. FY 2008. Production Parts Logistics have achieved a 17 % reduction in CO2 emissions, Vehicle Logistics almost a 30 % reduction, and Service Parts Logistics an 8.8 % reduction in CO2 emissions. One good example is the Toyota European Parts Distribution Centre in Diest, Belgium where 80,000 m2 of solar panel roof was installed thanks in part to the support of government and local industry. Another is a sustainable retailer in La Rochelle, France, an eco friendly facility with solar panels providing energy, a “green roof” capturing rain water and a natural heating and cooling system (Canadian well). Furthermore, all of TME’s operations in the EU are certified according to ISO14001, the international reference in environmental management.

This year as well, Toyota launched its 7th Green Month Campaign, with its shared European Green Month Campaign call to action is: 'Many Species, One Planet, One Future, Make a Smart Choice'. The emphasis of the call to action is that everyone must play a part to reduce their environmental footprint no matter how small the action. This year's theme does not focus on a specific environmental topic but at the wider environment including Energy, Mobility, Materials, Waste and Biodiversity. The theme is also in line with United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) theme for this year World Environment Day.

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