Toyota President Jim Lentz Statement on the Energy Bill and the EPA Action on the California Request for Waiver

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2007 -- Toyota strongly supports the Energy Bill passed by Congress and signed into law today by the President, raising national fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon -- a 40% increase by 2020.

We are actively developing strategies to meet those goals. It is important that the U.S. EPA has further clarified that the federal government is best suited to regulate fuel economy standards for the benefit of the entire nation.

This national approach to a national challenge with global implications sets a high bar, but is a clear and sensible goal from which all 50 states will benefit.

This is going to be a very exciting race among automakers. All manufacturers are poised on the starting line. There's no question the competition will be fierce and the nation will be better for it.

Toyota's fundamental goal this year has been to get the CAFE legislation passed before the end of the year. We congratulate the Congress, the President and the Executive Branch for this historic move forward on fuel economy and energy security.

To be attributed to Jim Lentz, President, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.