Toyota's environmentally advanced gasoline/electric
hybrid Prius is a high-profile example of the company's commitment to the environment,
but a new North American Environmental Report details the breadth and depth
of Toyota's dedication to the environment. Through design and development, manufacturing,
sales/use, and end of life/recycling efforts, Toyota is striving to make a positive
impact on the environment.
"We understand that vehicles have a significant impact on the environment,
so we work very hard to be a part of the solution," said Tag Taguchi, president
and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. "We hope this report will give readers
an understanding of the environmental activities that Toyota and all its employees
are promoting across North America. We've challenged ourselves to make the planet
a better place, and we're proud of our performance to date."
Key highlights from each stage of Toyota's business include:
* Design and Development: For the 2003 model year the fuel efficiency of Toyota's
products once again outperformed the automobile industry as a whole in both
the United States and Canada. Four models were recognized by Federal government
agencies for their class-leading fuel economy. Toyota's development of advanced
technology vehicles reached a milestone with the launch of the first fuel cell
lease program in California. Real world evaluation of the Toyota FCHV has proven
that the vehicle's hydrogen fuel system is reliable, safe, durable, and easy
to use. Toyota introduced the all-new, larger and more powerful Toyota Prius
featuring Hybrid Synergy Drive. This second-generation hybrid system comes at
a time when other manufacturers are still working to release their first hybrid
vehicle.
* Manufacturing: Toyota reduced landfill waste disposal by 25% per unit of
production, water usage by 12%, and energy consumption by 5%, a significant
accomplishment given the company's increases in production volume and plant
size. Manufacturing plants in Alabama and West Virginia achieved zero landfill
status by reducing materials usage, recycling, and converting waste into reusable
energy.
* Sales/Use: Toyota became the acknowledged leader in hybrid technology as cumulative
global sales of the gas-electric hybrid Prius topped 120,000 units. Forty-six
percent of those sales (over 50,000 units) were in North America. Toyota also
made strides in reducing the impact of its sales and distribution operations
by completing the construction of its new 640,000 square foot South Campus headquarters
in Torrance, Calif. The project garnered the United States Green Building Council's
Gold LEEDtm award, the largest commercial building to date to achieve that distinction.
* End of Life/Recycling: Toyota initiated "Toyota Recycle Vision,"
a global set of action guidelines to improve vehicle recovery, increase use
of recycled materials, raise the number of used parts in the aftermarket and
reduce use of substances of concern. "Toyota Recycle Vision" reinforces
the company's worldwide commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of
its products at the end of their useful life.
* Stakeholders: For the fourth consecutive year, Toyota was the title sponsor
of National Public Lands Day, the largest one-day volunteer cleanup of our nation's
parks.
"We are determined to achieve top-level environmental performance throughout
our business," said Taguchi. "While we've made good progress during
the past year, we realize there's much more to be done."
* As part of its ongoing environmental program, Toyota plans to:
* Achieve top levels of fuel efficiency in all vehicle classes.
* Introduce to market additional new hybrid electric vehicles by 2005, including
a hybrid Lexus RX 330 in the fall of 2004, followed by a Toyota SUV.
* Reduce total energy use by 15% per unit of production at its North American
plants, resulting in a 15% decrease in CO2 by 2006.
* Reduce hazardous waste disposal to landfills by 95% by 2006.
* Reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 30% by 2006.
* Reduce total water use by 15% per unit of production by 2006.
To review the full Toyota North America Environmental Report, please visit
http://www.toyota.com/environment.
