Environment and eco-efficiencyIn the products: technological innovation

Within the scope of the Toyota 2050 Environmental Challenge, the TMC head office assumed two commitments that directly impact its vehicle portfolio. The first entails a an absolute 90% reduction in vehicle CO2 emissions against base year 2010. Moreover, the company is committed to introducing a model based on recycling – involving the production of vehicles prepared for post-use disposal and the reutilization of parts.

Recognizing the dimension of this challenge in terms of the Brazilian reality, TDB is aligned with the global guidelines and is contributing to building knowledge in the industry by means of investments in state-of-the-art technology to improve the environmental performance of its vehicles and to engage the value chain in questions such as reverse logistics and the adoption of hybrid technology.

Reverse logistics: vehicles and parts

TDB has been working with the automotive industry to study ways of aligning industry practices with Brazil's law n° 12.977, approved in 2014, which governs the post-use dismantling and disposal of motor vehicles. The forums through which the company works include the AEA, the Brazilian automotive engineering association, and the automotive industry association Anfavea.

Additionally, the company is aligned with TMC guidelines that facilitate the disposal process. The Corolla, the outright best seller in the midsize sedan segment, is designed to be recycled, permitting the dismantling of the vehicle and the reuse of parts and components at the end of the vehicle's working life. Its differentials include interior trim manufactured from resin and the central console made from Toyota Super Olefin Polymer (TSOP), a 100% recyclable material developed by the company.

Since 2008, the company has run a reverse logistics program with dealers for tires and batteries. All the replacement batteries sold by dealers are recycled and have a differentiated price based on a part exchange system. During the year, 35 Prius hybrid system high voltage batteries were sent to a specialized company in Belgium which has the technology to recycle this type of equipment. In 2015, more than 550 metric tons of batteries were recycled. In the same period, around 105,000 tires were collected and forwarded to authorized agents for ecologically appropriate disposal.

Eliminating substances of concern G4-14

TDB is engaged in a voluntary effort to eliminate Substances of Concern (SoC) from its production processes and from the composition of vehicles, packaging and spare parts. In accordance with TMC guidelines the current list of four SoCs is being expanded to 11 compounds – which will be eliminated from both the company's and suppliers' processes.

Research & development:
new center in São Bernardo

In August 2016, TDB inaugurated the brand's first applied research center in Latin America, and the fourth in the world outside Japan. Located in the São Bernardo do Campo complex, the new space is part of a network of centers in the United States, Europe and Thailand dedicated to undertaking technology studies and fomenting innovation adapted to local needs and requirements.

As part of the investment in the SBC Reborn project, R$ 46 million was earmarked for the center, which will enable the company's Brazilian subsidiary to undertake modifications to cars manufactured locally, create special editions and assess the possibility of using new materials, in addition to evaluating the technical capacity of parts suppliers.

The first project undertaken by the center is a new version of the Etios (Platinum), with modifications to the front and rear of the vehicle. The model was launched in August.

In addition to esthetic modifications, the research center is prepared for activities such as emissions tests, analyses of raw materials and studies for new accessories. The idea of reinforcing R&D in the country is aligned with Brazil's Inovar-Auto program to foster technological development and develop the automotive production chain in the country.

Vehicle performance G4-EN27

As part of its long-term business vision, Toyota is striving to increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicles. Historically, the company has stayed ahead of regulatory changes in the market, in line with TMC guidelines. For example, the Hilux pickup was equipped with the iArt system in 2012, enabling it to use all the types of diesel fuel available in Brazil while the market was still adapting to the use of less pollutant varieties.

To measure the environmental performance of its vehicles, the company adopts two voluntary assessment programs: the Nota Verde (Green Score) program, run by the Brazilian environmental authority Ibama, and the Inmetro Brazilian Vehicle Labeling Program (PBEV).

In the PBEV program, vehicles are rated from A to E based on efficiency in fuel consumption. The initiative also incorporates the Conpet Energy Efficiency seal for vehicles. In 2015, TDB maintained its A rating in the overall classification, both in the absolute and the category comparisons for the Prius and the Etios sedan. The Corolla also maintained its A rating in the category comparison. All the TDB vehicles received ratings.

In the Nota Verde program, run jointly by PBEV and Ibama, the vehicles obtained excellent results in the different emissions measured, such as carbon monoxide (CO), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx).

Another key action front for the company is hybrid technologies. TDB is an important participant in discussions between the industry and the government aimed at promoting this and other low climate impact technologies  – in line with the Toyota mobility vision (read more in Mobility in the future).

PBEV – TDB performance in 2015/2016

Model

Overall classification

Classification in category

Green Score

(1 to 3 stars)

Conpet seal

Etios Hatchback 1.3 (X, XS, XLS, Cross and Platinum) – manual

A

A

3 stars

Yes

Etios Hatchback 1.5 (X, XS, XLS, Cross and Platinum) – automatic

B

A

3 stars

Yes

Prius

A

A

3 stars

Yes

Etios Sedan 1.5 (X, XS, XLS and Platinum)

A

A

3 stars

Yes

Corolla 1.8 and 2.0 (Gli, Altis, Xei)

B

A

3 stars

Yes

Camry 3.5 (XLE)

D

D

3 stars

No

RAV 4 2.0 and 2.5 (4x2 and 4x4)

C

A

3 stars

No

SW4 (SR, SR 5S and SR 7S)

E

E

No

Hilux SW4 Diesel 4x4 (SRV and SRX)

D

A

No

Hilux SW4 Gasoline 4x4 (SRX)

E

D

No

Hilux (CD SERV 4x2 and 4x4, CD SR 4x2)

E

C

No

Hilux 4x4 (SRX, SRV and SR)

D

B

No

Hilux 4x4 (STD, SC and CC)

D

A

No

100% Of the Toyota and Lexus product lines in Brazil participate voluntarily in the vehicle labeling program