Philosophy

Toyota has grown to become one of the world's biggest car makers with a belief that its ideals should inform the way it is run. Its reputation for reliability, efficiency and safety grew from a long-term commitment to principles that embrace technology, manufacturing and social contribution.

As a platform, Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) is a wonderful showcase for these principles. It reflects Toyota's philosophy of environmental sustainability as more than an ideal; but as an achievable and definitive goal, consistent with core principles.

Technology

Technology is innovation that strives for sustainable mobility.

To this end, innovation is necessary across many aspects of society, from our home environment and cities, to transportation and the energy sources we choose.

Alternative energies that sustain the earth, environment and its resources are increasingly important and Toyota's engineering innovations include improvements to the environmental performance of internal combustion engines and components, the reduced environmental impact and cost of comparative energy sources, the development of active and passive safety technologies, consideration for ease and affordability in servicing technological innovations and the simple human concern for improved comfort.

Manufacturing

The first step in realising cleaner production is to work towards sustainable plants. To this end, production plants are being made more resource efficient by both making use of nature and minimising the impact of manufacturing plant processes.

This commitment to existing in harmony with the natural environment extends - where possible - to employing natural energy sources such as solar and wind power and to ecological preservation through extensive planting and regeneration of native and other greenery around production sites.

Further initiatives focus on energy conservation and resource-saving activities that minimise indirect and long-term impacts of manufacturing, where possible.

Social Contribution

Consistent with Toyota's belief that sustainability is apparent in all areas of operation, social contribution is integral to Toyota's activities at a global and local level.

In demonstrating its commitment to creating a sustainable society for the future, Toyota realises the importance of ongoing commitments in the form of contributions to the environment, education and traffic safety.

Environment

Since manufacturing its first car in 1936, Toyota has produced cars that bring convenience, reliability and the joy of driving to everyday life. Beyond this, Toyota also carries a rich history of initiatives that reduce our impact on the environment.

City, transportation and society

Toyota seeks to create an automotive future without accidents or traffic congestion. Some of the ways in which Toyota is working hard toward this goal include studies that explore the mechanisms for harmonising the relationship between people, infrastructure and vehicles.

One fascinating area of Toyota's involvement is Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). ITS is an advanced vehicle-infrastructure system built to link people, roads and vehicles. Its aim is to achieve safe, comfortable, and trouble-free traffic by employing the latest communications technology. Advances in ITS help reduce traffic accidents, traffic congestion and environmental impacts while contributing to the creation of a sustainable model for personal transport.

Technology

Hybrid Synergy Drive is the core technology at the heart of Toyota's extensive hybrid model range, which includes the Prius - the world's best-selling hybrid.

Hybrid Synergy Drive combines driving pleasure and performance, with fuel economy and low emissions.

All Toyota vehicles with Hybrid Synergy Drive are "full hybrids" that can run on battery alone, engine alone, or a combination of both - and to charge the batteries while the car is running.

Towards the Ultimate Eco Car

By 2020, it is predicted that there will be approximately 1.5 billion cars on the world's roads, nearly twice the current number.

Car makers must make the right decisions today to ensure that this growth does not lead to a drastic increase in carbon dioxide (C0²) and exhaust emissions.

Toyota's approach is to explore simultaneously a broad range of solutions for developing cleaner, greener vehicles.

Hybrid technology is at the core of this development path toward the ultimate Eco Car combining different power sources to maximise each one's strengths, while compensating each other's shortcomings.

Basic components of Hybrid Synergy Drive 

While Hybrid Synergy Drive is somewhat modified to accommodate the requirements of the different Toyota hybrid models (vehicle weight, load, performance), the basic components of each vehicle's hybrid system are the same.

They include:

• Petrol engine
• Electric motors/generators
• Hybrid battery pack
• Power split device