22 January 2010 - 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 with average CO2 emissions of 127.86%.

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 only two brands to have already achieved 130 g/km in the UK, equivalent to the industry target set for 2012 in Europe. The second manufacturer is Fiat who achieved 129.72 g/km thanks to a 5.53% improvement. The fact that the there are now two mainstream manufacturers under the 130 g/km mark proves that the 2012 targets are achievable.

An honourable mention also goes to Mini who managed 131.68 g/km (4.05% down) and Hyundai with 133.34 g/km thanks to a mighty 9.92% improvement. The award for the biggest annual improvement goes to Alfa Romeo who managed a 16.26% improvement with CO2 emission falling from 183.14 g/km to 153.36 g/km.

Of the 33 manufacturers considered only 3 saw CO2. Daihatsu increased by 1.96% from 148.62 g/km to 151.53 g/km, Mitsubishi went up by 1.07% from 164.52 g/km to 166.28 g/km and Jeep rose from 217g/km to 225.52 g/km, an increase of 3.93%.