Toyota Takes Environmental Lead In 2009

Analysis of the CO2 output for all cars sold in the UK in 2009 reveals that Toyota is top of the low emission charts.

The chart, compiled by independent industry analysts, Clean Green Cars (www.cleangreencars.co.uk), uses a sales-weighted calculation (the CO2 output of each model multiplied by the number of those models sold in 2009) to produce the rankings by brand.

Such an all encompassing methodology makes Toyota’s score all the more remarkable as it includes sales of full size 4x4s and SUVs such as Land Cruiser and RAV4, not just a limited range of small family cars offered by some manufacturers.

Toyota headed the table thanks to making one of the biggest improvements over the 2008 score, a reduction of CO2 output by 11.21 per cent. This was due to the introduction of Toyota Optimal Drive across the range as well as increasing sales of the new Prius.

In 2009 Toyota is one of few brands to have already achieved 130 g/km in the UK, equivalent to the industry target set for 2012 in Europe.

ENDS