Toyota details new plans for low carbon society

11 June 2008

Toyota Motor Corporation today detailed an action plan for contributing to the realisation of a low carbon society through initiatives in the areas of research and development, manufacturing and social contribution.

"Since its foundation, Toyota has conducted its business based on the guiding principle of contributing to the development of a prosperous society through the manufacture of automobiles", said TMC president Katsuaki Watanabe, speaking at the Toyota Environmental Forum in Tokyo, where the action plan was unveiled.  "Toyota seeks to combine the power of people and technology to help create a society that maintains a balance between corporate activities and environmental preservation."

Specific TMC plans are described below.

1. Research and Development
Some of the environmental and energy issues surrounding automobiles include reducing CO2 emissions (global warming measures), supporting the use of non-petroleum based sources of energy and improving air quality.  TMC aims to help achieve sustainable mobility by using hybrid technology as a core means to reduce oil consumption and promote the adaptation of vehicles to energy diversification.

Automobiles
While adapting to energy diversification, TMC will develop vehicles that can simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions and make the air cleaner.  It will commercialize such vehicles in line with the energy trends of each market based on its philosophy of introducing the right vehicle, at the right time, in the right place.

Packaging
TMC is working on initiatives to reduce vehicle size and weight.  The "iQ", which is planned for launch in 2008, offers revolutionary packaging-seating four people in a body less than three meters long.