01 August 2010

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Toyota named green car manufacturer of the year

The term “green car” emerged as a buzz phrase in 2008 as motorists became more conscious of both their environmental impact and their fuel economy as oil prices hit record highs. However, while some car manufacturers scrambled and struggled to meet the changing face of consumer demand, one manufacturer reigned supreme as the leader of the green car race.

Toyota has been considered the most innovative green car manufacturer ever since the first Prius went on sale in Japan in 1997 – making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle in the world. Now the company has been honoured for its most recent efforts after being voted “Green Car Manufacturer of the Year 2008” by readers of TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk.

The honour is fitting for a company that made significant strides in the green car sector during the year. Back in September it began the first plug-in hybrid vehicle trials in London in which it teamed up with EDF Energy to test the cars under everyday conditions and evaluate their performance in urban driving conditions. The company now aims to mass produce a plug-in hybrid version of its popular Prius car. Indeed the Prius itself was named as the most fuel efficient vehicle in the US by the Environmental Protection Agency in October.

During the same month the Toyota Fund for Europe launched “Eco-Driving” – a programme aimed at helping Europeans save money at the pump and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The programme, which targeted local authorities, private companies and community groups, taught new driving practices on specially designed simulators to see how far drivers can travel on just 0.1 litres of fuel.

Indeed Toyota has also made significant advancements in its production line. The Toyota iQ made its debut at the British International Motor Show and went on to scoop the Car Of The Year award in Japan for its combination of low emissions and high levels of safety. The Toyota Auris was also reintroduced with stop/start technology.

Toyota’s green car push shows no signs of slowing down in 2009 either. At the first major motor show of the year – the North American International Auto Show in Detroit – the company introduced a new edition of the Prius with fuel economy boosted from 46mpg to 50mpg.

While remaining committed to hybrid cars, Toyota has also expressed a desire to explore other alternative fuel vehicles including beginning the development of an electric vehicle. The FT-EV concept was also unveiled in Detroit, based on the new iQ urban commuter vehicle, with Toyota planning to introduce the car to the public by 2012.

Details were also revealed of the new Lexus HS250h, the most fuel efficient vehicle in the Lexus range yet – Lexus is Toyota’s luxury car division. The vehicle, which has a smooth, aerodynamic design, is expected to improve fuel economy by around 30 per cent compared to the rest of the Lexus range.

To determine the winner of the award, which honours the manufacturer which has done most for the advancement of green cars during the previous 12 months, TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk polled a record number of readers with Toyota claiming 29 per cent of the overall vote, edging out Honda in second place with 26 per cent.

Indeed the efforts of fellow Japanese manufacturer Honda should not be overlooked. In August it began deliveries of its first zero emission, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to customers in the USA. The Honda FCX Clarity has been described as luxurious and even received notable praise from BBC’s Top Gear programme which claimed it is the “the most important car for 100 years”.

The Honda Civic Hybrid continued to be the Prius’s strongest rival in terms of hybrid sales while the Honda Jazz was re-launched with CO2 emissions cut down to 120g/km and fuel economy at an exceptional 55.4mpg. However, it was the arrival of the Honda Insight at the Paris Motor Show in October which was particularly eye-catching. The Insight, which revives the name of the 1999 hybrid coupe – the first production hybrid car to be sold in Europe – is significantly lower in price than its rivals and has a fuel economy rating above 40mpg.

Credit should also be given to BMW, which defied its image as a luxury car manufacturer to take third place in TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk green car manufacturer of the year award with 16 per cent of the vote. In 2008, the German car manufacturer showcased its battery-electric MINI E, scooped the World Green Car of the Year award for its BMW 118d, and went on to announce the launch of its most fuel efficient vehicle yet – the BMW 116d with a combined consumption figure of 64.2mpg and CO2 emissions at a measly 118g/km.

The results in full were: Toyota 29 per cent; Honda 26 per cent; BMW 16 per cent; Ford eight per cent; Volkswagen seven per cent; Citroen four per cent; Smart three per cent; Mercedes-Benz three per cent; SEAT two per cent; and Peugeot two per cent.

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