GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Toyota dumps diesel
Japanese giant adds to sense of panic in Europe’s diesel crisisJapan’s biggest car-maker has responded to Europe’s burgeoning diesel crisis by abandoning the fuel.
Toyota Europe CEO Johan van Zyl said today at the Geneva motor show that the brand would dump all its diesel-powered passenger cars and crossovers in Europe by the end of the year.
A statement from the car-maker clarified that it would retain diesel power only for its LandCruiser, Prado, HiLux and other light commercials.
Toyota insists fewer than 10 per cent of its cars and crossovers in Europe use diesel power, with its hybrid strategy expected to take up any shortfalls. More than 40 per cent of Toyota’s European sales were hybrids last year, dominated by the C-HR’s 80 per cent hybrid mix.
The push into crossovers has hurt Toyota’s chances of meeting the EU7 limit of 95g/km of CO2 by 2021 (it was at 105.4g/km in 2016), and missing that target will automatically bring huge fines for car-makers.
"The more hybrids we sell, the better our chances,” Toyota Europe chairman Didier Leroy said.
"For us, mild hybrids wouldn't be a step forward," he said.
Toyota doesn’t currently sell any diesel passenger cars in Australia, where hybrids account for less than 30 per cent of sales, and diesel continues to be available in the RAV4, HiLux and – solely -- the Fortuner, Prado, LandCruiser and HiAce.
Toyota used the Geneva show to reveal its new Corolla/Auris hybrid hatch and a new Supra sports car concept.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
