Toyota Australia boss has “no doubt” emissions target is coming this year

“New Government legislation around emissions will come to this country in the next six to 12 months – no doubt.”

“By the end of the year, if not sooner, we'll have a very clear direction on what an emissions policy will look like in Australia,” Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president sales, marketing, and franchising, told Wheels.

Among other manufacturers, Toyota has had its input into the legislation after the Federal Government opened the bill for consultation in September last year.

Catch up on Australia's emissions policy

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Hanley didn’t identify what Toyota – by far Australia’s biggest-selling car brand – had asked for, but recent controversy (including being accused of greenwashing by Greenpeace) points to a more conservative outlook. Hanley was frank in his assessment of Toyota’s current situation.

“We want to accelerate, but at the same time, we don't want to mislead people. We are not carbon-neutral. We've still got a long way to go, and that's why we're setting out a plan that's realistic, and credible to get to a carbon-neutral position.

“We've never professed to say we're carbon-neutral [right now]. In fact, we're one of the few car companies that actually goes out very publicly and says: ‘You've got to have a diversified range of technologies’,” added a typically-animated Hanley.

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Does Toyota know what’s coming?

“I think the Government's approach is exactly right. I mean, it has done a lot of consulting and got a lot of feedback… I think it's a big job now for the Government to sort through all that.

“I don't know what the outcome of that [policy] will be. Despite people thinking that Toyota might know, we don't know, but we've certainly had our input,” said Hanley.

Toyota’s first electric vehicle, the BZ4x, is just around the corner. Although the brand has been selling hybrids in Australia since launching the Prius in 2001, more will likely need to be done for the brand to hit emissions targets.

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A hybrid version of the Toyota Tundra is set for Australian release, but a focus on electrified versions of HiLux – Australia’s best-selling vehicle – and Hiace van will be crucial to cutting emissions.

“We'll be able to work within the framework, and we'll be able to set up a sustainable and secure future, but above all contribute positively to the community we operate in. And at the end of the day, that's what constitutes a good company,” Hanley said.