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Five Star FG Falcon at Jarvis Ford
The all-new FG Falcon has become the first Australian-built car to receive a 5 (five) star rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The petrol FG Falcon sedan range was awarded the maximum 5 (five) star safety rating rating with a total score of 34.6 points (out of a possible 37 points), giving it the highest score ever recorded by a locally produced car in Australia by a significant margin. Read more>
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Toyota strengthens environmental initiatives |
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29/9/2008
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has outlined its plans to contribute to a low-carbon society through initiatives in the areas of research and development, manufacturing and social contribution.
The plan is consistent with Toyota's guiding principle of contributing to the development of a prosperous society through vehicle manufacture.
Toyota's actions are aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, supporting the use of non-petroleum based sources of energy and improving air quality.
Toyota believes hybrid technology is a core means for reducing oil consumption and promoting the adaptation of vehicles to energy diversification.
The corporation is working to further reduce the size, weight and cost of motors, inverters, batteries and other hybrid system components.
It will bring hybrid vehicles to market in line with the energy trends of each region, based on its philosophy of introducing the right vehicle, at the right time, in the right place.
Other initiatives include reducing the size and weight of all vehicles as well as developing more efficient engines and transmissions and introducing flexible-fuel vehicles.
Toyota's vehicles worldwide have been adapted to E10 fuel since 2006. Flexible-fuel models in Brazil can run on E100 and the Tundra and Sequoia sold in North America are E85-compatible.
Verification tests of plug-in hybrid vehicles are being conducted in Japan, the United States and Europe.
Toyota believes plug-in hybrids, which can be used as electric vehicles for short trips and as conventional hybrid vehicles for longer distances, represent the most promising approach.
Late in 2009, Toyota will introduce a plug-in hybrid vehicle equipped with a lithium-ion battery, geared toward fleet customers in Japan, the United States and Europe.
The company plans to accelerate development of small electric vehicles for mass production.
This year, TMC established a battery research department to advance an innovative next-generation battery that can outperform a lithium-ion battery.
Panasonic EV Energy Co. Ltd (a joint venture between TMC and the
Matsushita Group) will begin limited production of lithium-ion batteries in
2009, moving into full-scale production in 2010.
Toyota has also developed an advanced fuel-cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV-adv), which features a newly designed high-performance Toyota FC Stack fuel cell.
The TOYOTA FCHV-adv has received vehicle-type certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
It features an improvement of 25 per cent in fuel efficiency and achieves a cruising range of approximately 830km on a single fill.
TMC is steadily overcoming the technological hurdles associated with fuel cell vehicles and will focus next on solving problems related to maintaining reliability and reducing costs.
Toyota's involvement in alternative fuels includes research into a cellulosic ethanol that ensures a stable supply without competing with food production.
The distinctive feature of this research is the focus on using technologies that involve yeast.
TMC is conducting joint research with Nippon Oil Corporation on high-concentration bio hydrofined diesel (BHD) as a bio-fuel alternative to petroleum-based diesel.
So far, the research has led to vast improvement in the oxidative stability of BHD, enabling the fuel to perform on par with conventional diesel.
TMC is also conducting research on biomass-to-liquid (BTL), which is derived from synthesising gas made from all types of biomass, including cellulose.
Toyota says solving global warming and energy-related issues cannot be accomplished solely through automotive technology. Issues must be addressed throughout society, including transport infrastructure and the actions of drivers.
In Japan, TMC is working with government ministries to improve traffic flow by reducing congestion through the application of intelligent transport systems.
Toyota plans to increase the number of vehicle series equipped with the Eco Driving Indicator, which lights up when the vehicle is being operated in a fuel-efficient manner, and the Eco Driving Mode Switch, which puts the vehicle in an energy-conserving mode by monitoring and controlling functions such as gear-shift timing and air conditioner settings.
Toyota is continuing to actively seek greater environmental responsiveness in its production and logistics through greater reduction of CO2 and further consolidation of environmental management.
It has already achieved planned CO2 reductions from production activities outlined in the "Fourth Toyota Environmental Action Plan" (2006 to 2010).
Toyota has therefore set new targets and strengthened its approach.
2010 CO2 Emission Reduction Targets, Results and New Targets Region | Emissions | 2010 Target | 2007 Results | New 2010 Target | Worldwide* | Volume per sales
unit | 20% reduction
from 2001 | 32% reduction
from 2001 | 35% reduction
from 2001 | TMC
( Japan ) | Volume per sales
unit | 35% reduction
from 1990 | 55% reduction
from 1990 | 60% reduction
from 1990 | TMC
( Japan ) | Volume | 20% reduction
from 1990 | 25% reduction
from 1990 | 30% reduction
from 1990 |
*Approximately 120 Toyota Group companies in Japan and overseas subject to consolidated environmental management
At its manufacturing sites, Toyota is reducing energy consumption by developing and implementing low-carbon production technologies and through daily kaizen (improvement) activities.
It is also examining the scope for power cogeneration, using solar panels, recycling waste water, employing waterborne paint and achieving zero landfill.
TMC promotes programs for the development of forestry, human resources and the local community in several countries.
In March 2008, the Toyota Environmental Activities Grant Program, which supports the environmental activities of non-profit private groups and other organisations, granted funding to 140 projects in Japan and elsewhere. |
Industry News
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Toyota first to export 100,000 cars |
19/12/2008
Toyota Australia is set to become the first Australian carmaker to export 100,000 vehicles in a calendar year.
The milestone car is due to be shipped from Melbourne on Christmas Eve, bound for the Middle East.
It will be among more than 2,100 Australian-built Toyota cars leaving Australia that day aboard the Positive Leader. |
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