The FINANCIAL -- In a keynote speech delivered at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe announced several environmental initiatives focused on new product releases:

• Toyota will supply plug-in hybrids to commercial customers by 2010. President Watanabe said, "As part of this plan, we will deliver a significant fleet of PHEVs powered by lithium-ion batteries to a wide variety of global commercial customers, with many coming to the U.S."

• Toyota will offer a new clean-diesel V8 engine in both the Tundra truck and Sequoia SUV in the near future.

• At next year's NAIAS, Toyota and Lexus will expand their conventional hybrid lineups by staging premieres of an all-new dedicated hybrid vehicle for each of their product lines.

Toyota Reveals Small Hybrid Truck Concept

The Advanced-Breakthrough Aerodynamic Truck (A-BAT) concept is a four-passenger compact pickup truck featuring Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive(r). A-BAT is conceived for drivers who want to conserve fuel on the commute to work during the week and perform light utility tasks on weekends, using the same vehicle. Unveiled at NAIAS, it has a full hybrid powertrain and carries a 4-foot by 6-foot load (like the Tacoma long-bed truck). With the rear seat folded and tailgate dropped, it accommodates a four-by-eight sheet of plywood.

Toyota Releases Environmental Report

Toyota has released its 2007 North America Environmental Report, describing progress toward achieving goals set forth in Toyota's 2007-2011 Environmental Action Plan (EAP). Some of the EAP's goals are to promote the development of technologies to achieve best-in-class fuel efficiency performance; introduce vehicle technologies that support diversification of energy and fuel resources; promote the development of clean-energy vehicles and ensure wide acceptance; promote initiatives to reduce traffic congestion; reduce CO2 emitted from North American operations; and reduce the company's production of waste and water consumption.

Texas Toyota Dealership Built to Highlight Environmental Standards

Toyota of Rockwell, a newly constructed 11-acre dealership in Rockwell, Texas, has been designed from the ground up with high environmental standards in mind.

The dealership's environmental features include panels made of recycled aluminum, energy-saving glass, a cistern to capture and conserve water, a water-recycling carwash, a green wall, and a special membrane roofing system. The majority of the 70,000-square-foot dealership's elements are designed to conserve energy and water, and to incorporate recycled materials. The project was designed to achieve Gold Level LEED certification, the highest rating level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System(tm).

Toyota anticipates that a total of six LEED-certified dealerships will open in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2008.

Winners Announced in Lexus-Sponsored Environmental Challenge for Schools

Lexus and Scholastic, the children's book publisher, have announced the winners of the second phase of the Lexus Environmental Challenge. Sixteen school teams from twelve states were recognized for their outstanding environmental action plans focusing on water and the environment. High school projects included protecting coral reefs, reducing the concentration of pesticides and contaminants in pond water, and developing water conservation campaigns. Middle school teams removed nonnative plants from wetlands, urged governmental flood control measures, and cleaned storm drains.

Related Stories

• Opel Unveils Restructuring Plan, to Cut 8,300 Jobs across Europe
• Toyota orders global Prius, other hybrids recall over brakes
• Caterpillar Joins Industry and Government Partnership to Deliver State-of-the-Art Clean-Coal Technol