Toyota's Chairman Hiroshi Okuda Addresses Washington VIPs at U.S. Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 -- Toyota Chairman Hiroshi Okuda addressed a crowd of some 300 Washington business leaders, members of Congress, government officials, and leading environmental organizations today at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Okuda addressed the future changes of the automobile industry, Toyota's commitment to the environment and its presence in the United States.

"Protecting the environment, improving safety and applying information technology are the three avenues of innovation we must travel in order to keep up with change and seize the opportunities it presents," explained Okuda. He also encouraged "vast amounts of cooperation among automakers" to accomplish these goals.

As part of Toyota's commitment to protecting the environment, Okuda noted the advanced technology known as Hybrid Synergy Drive now available in the new 2004 Prius hybrid vehicle. The second-generation Prius has a preliminary EPA rating of 55 miles per gallon, combined city-highway, and accelerates faster than its predecessor.

Okuda also discussed Toyota's commitment to producing cars and trucks in North America. In particular, he noted Toyota's new truck plant in Texas and the production of the first Lexus outside of Japan at Toyota's plant in Cambridge, Ontario.

The twenty-minute speech concluded with Okuda reiterating Toyota's commitment to continue its "steady and healthy growth here and in other major markets."