Controversial report questions market leader’s environmental chops.

EFFORT by Toyota in New Zealand to behave with environmental integrity seems at odds with how the brand involves in the United States, according to a powerful lobby group there.

A new study alleging Japan’s No.1 make as being the largest vehicle industry funder of climate deniers is causing ructions.

The findings cited by Public Citizen, a high-profile nonprofit consumer advocacy organisation that champions the US public interest, arrive just a fortnight on from Palmerston North-domiciled Toyota NZ making fresh strong pro-Green statements.

TNZ has reaffirmed a commitment to carbon reduction targets initially made when Clean Car initiatives were launched in 2021, under the then Labour Government.

TNZ was the first car brand to commit to Clean Car targets seeking then drastic, but now diluted, CO2 emissions reductions.

Enthusiastically led then by its then chief executive, Neeraj Lala, and unadjusted after he left the brand last year, TNZ’s policy has had drastic impact of its product plans.

Availability of high CO2 emitting product - including the Hilux that once dominated the one-tonne ute sector and the Land Cruiser product - has become carefully restricted, while more models with the hybrid technology it holds market leadership with - and a single electric car - have been introduced.

This has seen its annual average fleet CO2 count reduce to 156 grams of CO2 per kilometre and has been popular with customers.

Hybrid car share grew last year whereas electrics and plug-in hybrids fell massively and the overall new car market dropped back.

Several weeks ago, Tatsuya Ishikawa, who has been acting CEO since Lala’s departure, said 2025 will bring action across its operations and even more focus on reducing the lifetime carbon emissions of new vehicles the make sells.

“Our focus is not only on delivering great vehicles but also on creating a better future for New Zealand,” he said in comment shared by the brand.

“Sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do, from improving the efficiency of our vehicles to reducing our operational footprint.”

That message doesn’t seem to be carried in the US; at least not according to Public Citizen.

Its report, “Driving Denial: How Toyota’s Unholy Alliance with Climate Deniers Threatens Climate Progress,” considers political donations from US auto industry PACs (political action committees) over the last three election cycles.

Public Citizen believes not only is Toyota the largest funder of climate denial, but that its funding of climate denial is increasing, while others are decreasing.

The report has been circulating on a well-supported NZ EV owners’ group Facebook page with predictable commentary coming from some quarters.