What's the news?
Toyota has announced that, starting this year, it will begin phasing out diesel engines from all of its passenger car models. Bolstered by positive customer and critical reactions for the C-HR crossover, which has no diesel variant, the Japanese giant has decided that DERV is most definitely dead for its passenger cars.
The announcement, which comes on the eve of the Geneva motor show, will be seen as something of a slap in the face for its major European and Korean rivals, all of whom still rely heavily on diesel models, even if their share has slipped in the last two years.
The kick off for the diesel repudiation will be the new Auris, which will be shown off in Geneva, and which will come with a new hybrid powertrain option. The new hatchback will come with the existing 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine and 1.8-litre hybrid engine as found in the C-HR range (the new Auris also shares a platform with the C-HR), and there will be a new 2.0-litre engine which will come both on its own (in 169hp form) and with a hybrid transmission (in 144hp form). Toyota claims that, at 40 per cent for the non-hybrid, and 41 per cent for the hybrid, it's the most thermally efficient engine in the world.
Giving Toyota Ireland's perspective on the announcement, Steve Tormey, CEO of Toyota Ireland said: "I am proud to be in the driver's seat of a company that is willing to make the difficult decision to lead the Irish market out of diesel and help deliver cleaner air quality for our future and that of our children's' children.
"Today's announcement is reflective of our 'Built for a Better World' brand purpose, and is another proof point of how serious we are to delivering alternative, cleaner mobility solutions.
"Similar to the Irish Government, Toyota too has a vision for a zero emissions society, which we believe can be a reality by 2050. Toyota's self-charging hybrid electric cars are in electric mode for up to 55 per cent of the time and have the best technology today to help achieve the move to full electrification."
Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten said, "I welcome Toyota's leadership on this. As a country we have no option but to move towards a zero emissions vehicle society to help protect our environment, improve our health and to ensure the next generation doesn't suffer from complacency or inaction now. Climate change requires all of us to make changes and Toyota's initiative will significantly help lead us on our low-carbon journey."
While diesel sales currently account for just 20 per cent of Toyota's Irish sales mix, this doesn't represent a total diesel ban from the brand. Commercial models, such as the HiLux, Land Cruiser, and Proace, will continue to use diesel power.
Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe commented: "Toyota has been pioneering Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) technology for more than 20 years. For several years, HEV versions have been the dominant powertrain where offered. In our latest new model, the Toyota C-HR, HEVs accounted for 78 per cent of sales last year. As part of our electrified vehicle strategy, we are progressively expanding our HEV offering with a second, more powerful 2.0l engine. Starting with the new generation Auris, this expanded HEV line-up is a natural reaction to our passenger car customers' demands. Toyota's HEV mix in passenger cars already equalled our diesel mix in 2015. Since then, HEV sales substantially exceed our diesel sales. In commercial vehicles, where personal & business needs (e.g. Torque & Payload) remain, we will continue to offer the latest technology diesels."