There’s an interesting article in this morning Financial Times, US green groups urge Toyota U-turn, “Toyota is scrambling to protect its green reputation in the US, its largest market, where environmental groups are urging it to drop its opposition to a draft fuel economy bill.”
According to the Truth About Toyota, “Toyota has used its Prius to create a corporate image based on innovation and environmental consciousness. But as National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) data shows, Toyota’s current fleet-wide fuel economy is lower today than it was 20 years ago around the time CAFE standards were last increased.” Interesting.
An excerpt from US green groups urge Toyota U-turn
“The controversy has landed the maker of the world’s top-selling hybrid vehicle, the Prius, at the centre of a high-stakes legislative debate, and has even elicited a defence on its behalf from General Motors, its rival for the position of the world’s top carmaker.
Nine groups, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, the National Environmental Trust and Friends of the Earth, last week asked Americans to sign a letter urging Toyota to drop its opposition to a draft bill on fuel economy standards passed by the US Senate.
The letter, addressed to Shigeru Hayakawa, president of Toyota USA, claims Toyota is joining its Detroit rivals to deny Americans the strict fuel economy standards it complies with in Japan.
“When I decide what type of vehicle I want to drive, I take a company’s overall reputation into consideration,” it reads.
“Toyota’s credibility is on the line.”
Toyota has joined GM, Ford Motor and Chrysler in opposing the fuel economy bill in the Senate.
The draft requires manufacturers to reach a fleet average of 35 mpg by 2020 – 10 mpg higher than today. But the carmakers say the target is unrealistic and would in effect limit production of pick-up trucks and other large vehicles.”
