The GreenCarWebsite.co.uk Name Toyota Their Car Manufacturer Of The Year

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STOCKPORT, United Kingdom – January 27, 2009: The inaugural ‘Green Car Manufacturer’ award by TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk goes to Toyota.

The definitive guide to green cars, TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk polled visitors during December 2008 to find which car manufacturer they thought had done the most for the advancement of greener cars through the year.

In what turned out to be a see-saw battle with Honda, Toyota came through to land the accolade with 29 per cent of the total votes. Second place went to Honda following closely behind on 26 per cent, with BMW someway back in third position with 16 per cent of the vote.

No doubt Toyota impressed the voters with their strong range of innovative small green cars such as the Yaris, Auris, Aygo and new addition to the line-up, the excellent iQ, not forgetting the well-established hybrid-champion Prius. What’s more, with the third generation Prius on the way, the Camry Hybrid and Toyota FCHV Hydrogen vehicle also in the pipeline, Toyota look well-placed to continue their lead during 2009.

In second place Honda continue to invest in hybrid technology with the forthcoming Insight due in spring, while looking to the future with their FCX Clarity Hydrogen car. While back in third place BMW has looked to maximise their efficient dynamics in its existing line-up.

TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk editor Faye Sunderland said:

"We are delighted to announce that Toyota has walked away with the accolade, in a year that has seen most main manufacturers announce plans for or introduce greener cars. Toyota continues to lead the way and manufacture impressive cars that the public can drive today."

Miguel Fonseca Managing Director of Toyota GB adds:

“We are delighted and honoured that the readers of TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk have voted for Toyota as manufacturer of the year. Toyota works continuously to achieve ever higher environmental standards in all areas of its operations, efforts that are reflected in the world-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive that powers Prius and the application of the Toyota Optimal Drive concept to a raft of new models, such as new iQ and Avensis, to bring substantial reductions in emissions and fuel consumption.

“Later this year we will be launching a new generation Prius that should see Toyota once again setting the benchmark for cleaner, fuel efficient motoring.”

The total number of votes cast was 1156, over a three-week period at the end of December and the start of January.