Toyota Motor Europe (TME) continues its quest for year-on-year reductions in CO2 emissions and despite the economic crisis steps up its environmental and social activities, according to data released today in the 2011 Sustainability Report. Available online at www.toyota.eu/sustainability the report details Toyota’s environmental, social and economic performance for fiscal year (FY) 2010 which ran from April 2010 to March 2011.
FY2010 marked the end of TME’s 5-Year Environmental Action Plan (FY2006-FY2010).
For vehicle sales, the company achieved in FY 2010 a further 1.7% reduction in average CO2 emissions of Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in Europe (EU27) compared to FY2009 and a 23.5% reduction compared to FY2006. Emissions fell to 130 g/km in FY2010 according to JATO data. This is a result of the company’s continued investment into innovative technologies such as Toyota Optimal Drive or the increasingly popular Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) and Lexus Hybrid Drive. (LHD). Hybrid vehicles sales totalled 70,520 hybrids in the EU 27 in FY2010 (+96% compared to FY2006).
In 2010 Toyota also announced the start of production of Yaris HSD. Toyota Motor Manufacturing France, the French sustainable plant in Valenciennes, will roll out the Yaris HSD in the second half of 2012.
As part of Toyota’s global Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) project, TME is leasing 200 Prius Plug-in-Hybrid vehicles to selected partners in 18 European countries, who are road-testing 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. The first results of this project demonstrate 36% less fuel consumption than a best-in class diesel of a comparable size and a 49% better fuel consumption compared to a petrol vehicle of comparable size.
Toyota’s commitment to CO2 emissions reduction is not limited to products, but extends to production, logistics and sales operations as well. CO2 emissions from TME’s manufacturing companies have been reduced by 31% vs FY 2007. Although we failed to achieve our original target of 425 kg CO2 per unit due to reduced production. Production Parts Logistics have achieved a 39% reduction in CO2 emissions, Vehicle Logistics almost a 37 % reduction, and Service Parts Logistics a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to FY2006.
Another example of Toyota’s pursuit is the opening of a Sustainable Retailer in Salzburg by Toyota Frey Austria. The environmental features of this dealership include a photovoltaic system integrated in the roof which generates 10% of the building’s electricity needs. A water treatment system reduces the amount of water needed to clean vehicles by 80%.
The challenging economic climate also provided an opportunity for Toyota to demonstrate its commitment to its local stakeholders. In 2010 Toyota employees and retailers were involved in over 150 community projects, resulting in social contributions of € 4.99 million. The relationship with suppliers was strengthened by the commitment to the Purchasing Policy and further enhanced established business relationships. The Toyota principle of mutual trust and understanding was demonstrated through the company’s commitment to stable employment to permanent employees and long-term development of all team members.
Although the company had to improve its fundamental cost structure to be able to operate in Europe in a sustainable way, it relied only on non-replacement of natural departures or incentivised individual voluntary resignations to achieve labour-cost reductions. Investments in Europe in FY 2010 were €283 million (+24% compared to FY2009). This includes the expansion of the proving ground of Toyota’s Research & Development premises in Zaventem, Belgium and a new Toyota Parts Centre in Spain.
