Car Maker Strives to be a 'Solution to Pollution'

New Report Chronicles the Company's Progress in North America

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 19 -- Toyota's environmentally advanced gasoline/electric hybrid Prius is a high-profile example of the company's commitment to the environment, but a new North American Environmental Report details the breadth and depth of Toyota's dedication to the environment. Through design and development, manufacturing, sales/use, and end of life/recycling efforts, Toyota is striving to make a positive impact on the environment.

"We understand that vehicles have a significant impact on the environment, so we work very hard to be a part of the solution," said Tag Taguchi, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. "We hope this report will give readers an understanding of the environmental activities that Toyota and all its employees are promoting across North America. We've challenged ourselves to make the planet a better place, and we're proud of our performance to date."

  Key highlights from each stage of Toyota's business include:

  *  Design and Development:  For the 2003 model year the fuel efficiency of
     Toyota's products once again outperformed the automobile industry as a
     whole in both the United States and Canada.  Four models were
     recognized by Federal government agencies for their class-leading fuel
     economy.   Toyota's development of advanced technology vehicles reached
     a milestone with the launch of the first fuel cell lease program in
     California.  Real world evaluation of the Toyota FCHV has proven that
     the vehicle's hydrogen fuel system is reliable, safe, durable, and easy
     to use.   Toyota introduced the all-new, larger and more powerful
     Toyota Prius featuring Hybrid Synergy Drive.  This second-generation
     hybrid system comes at a time when other manufacturers are still
     working to release their first hybrid vehicle.

  *  Manufacturing:  Toyota reduced landfill waste disposal by 25% per unit
     of production, water usage by 12%, and energy consumption by 5%, a
     significant accomplishment given the company's increases in production
     volume and plant size. Manufacturing plants in Alabama and West
     Virginia achieved zero landfill status by reducing materials usage,
     recycling, and converting waste into reusable energy.

  *  Sales/Use:  Toyota became the acknowledged leader in hybrid technology
     as cumulative global sales of the gas-electric hybrid Prius topped
     120,000 units. Forty-six percent of those sales (over 50,000 units)
     were in North America.  Toyota also made strides in reducing the impact
     of its sales and distribution operations by completing the construction
     of its new 640,000 square foot South Campus headquarters in Torrance,
     Calif.   The project garnered the United States Green Building
     Council's Gold LEED(TM) award, the largest commercial building to date
     to achieve that distinction.

  *  End of Life/Recycling:  Toyota initiated "Toyota Recycle Vision," a
     global set of action guidelines to improve vehicle recovery, increase
     use of recycled materials, raise the number of used parts in the
     aftermarket and reduce use of substances of concern.  "Toyota Recycle
     Vision" reinforces the company's worldwide commitment to minimizing the
     environmental impact of its products at the end of their useful life.

  *  Stakeholders:  For the fourth consecutive year, Toyota was the title
     sponsor of National Public Lands Day, the largest one-day volunteer
     cleanup of our nation's parks.

"We are determined to achieve top-level environmental performance throughout our business," said Taguchi. "While we've made good progress during the past year, we realize there's much more to be done."

  As part of its ongoing environmental program, Toyota plans to:

   *  Achieve top levels of fuel efficiency in all vehicle classes.
   *  Introduce to market additional new hybrid electric vehicles by 2005,
      including a hybrid Lexus RX 330 in the fall of 2004, followed by a
      Toyota SUV.
   *  Reduce total energy use by 15% per unit of production at its North
      American plants, resulting in a 15% decrease in CO2 by 2006.
   *  Reduce hazardous waste disposal to landfills by 95% by 2006.
   *  Reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by 30% by 2006.
   *  Reduce total water use by 15% per unit of production by 2006.