Toyota Reaffirms Its Position on Emissions Situation
11 January 1999
Toyota Reaffirms Its Position on Emissions SituationTORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 11 -- Toyota, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been having discussions regarding the computer that monitors the evaporative emissions control systems (OBDII) of certain Toyota and Lexus vehicles. On Monday, January 4, the Department of Justice, on behalf of EPA, informed Toyota of their intention to commence litigation in this action, based on a new interpretation of regulations by CARB, which CARB announced in a letter to Toyota last June. The following statement reaffirming Toyota's position on this matter in regards to CARB and EPA may be attributed to Jim Olson, senior vice president, external affairs, Toyota Motor Sales, USA (TMS), Inc.: "Toyota is disappointed that despite our vehicles having the best in-use emission performance of any automaker, this matter has not yet been resolved in a mutually agreeable manner. We are proud of our record as an auto industry environmental leader and firmly believe our vehicles comply with the testing regulations as originally written. If California and EPA wish to change these requirements, they should amend the rules for future model years. Toyota stands ready to resume negotiations to resolve this disagreement over proper interpretation of these technical regulations for testing vehicles." The facts are as follows: -- None of the vehicles pose an emissions concern to the environment or a safety threat to consumers. -- At this time, there is no recall on the vehicles in question. CARB and EPA are pursuing avenues for further review of the vehicles' operation, and possible action that Toyota may be ordered to undertake. -- Toyota met with CARB before development of the OBDII system and implemented CARB's guidance; we firmly believe that these vehicles operate properly and comply with all levels of CARB regulations -- including the OBDII regulation. -- During the "in-use" evaluation of our vehicles, CARB conducted tests beyond those specified in their requirements and regulations. -- We contend that no regulatory agency should bring an enforcement action on an after-the-fact re-interpretation of a regulation. * A chronology of actions: -- Late 1991: CARB institutes evaporative OBDII regulations -- Mid 1995: Toyota's evaporative OBDII system is approved by CARB -- August, 1997: CARB tests Toyota vehicles, questions OBDII performance -- August 28, 1998: Toyota files suit in California Superior Court for OBDII rule interpretation -- September 2: CARB begins formal recall process -- December 11: CARB begins administrative review process, breaks off negotiations -- January 4, 1999: EPA announces intention to file litigation, seeks legal review of case.