Resource efficiency is the rage in 2014 and Toyota is one of the world’s most resource efficient companies. Simply put Toyota abhors waste and here is a summary of Toyota’s secrets to achieve radical resource efficiency. Steve Hope, General Manager Environmental Affairs and Corporate Citizenship, Toyota Motor Europe, explains how Toyota has dramatically improved its resource efficiency, reducing its energy, water and waste per vehicle by 70%, 75% and 60% respectively from 1993 to 2007. This video effectively summarizes the systems, processes, culture, enablers, tools and habits that have helped Toyota to reach the top of their industry.
To help viewers understand Toyota’s approach to resource efficiency, Hope employed two Japanese terms, Kaizen and Yokoten. Kaizen is a Japanese word that can be roughly translated as improvements or change for the better. It is important to note that these improvements are not necessarily continuous. To make good improvements at least three elements must be addressed and they knowledge, standardized process and controlled risk. The other Japanese term essential to Toyota’s resource efficiency success is Yokoten, or in this context sharing.
This Presentation took place at the Annual Conference for the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Industrial Sustainability on September 10-11, 2013 at Magdalene College, Cambridge. The theme of the conference was ‘Integrating Industrial Sustainability’.
Related Articles
Video – Nissan BladeGlider Zero Emission Electric Concept Car
Increasing Vehicle Efficiency with New Lightweight Materials
Infographic – Nissan Leaf US Sales by State
Fisker May be Saved by Hong Kong Tycoon’s Investor Group
The Top 10 Best Selling Hybrid Cars in the US (2013)
Two Leading Japanese Electric Cars: Honda Fit EV and Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Exploring the Demand for Hybrid Vehicles in the US
The Greenest Vehicles of 2013
Meanest Vehicles for the Environment in 2013
Ford Motor Co.: Green or Greenwashing?
Ford Motor Co’s Waste Reduction Efforts
Volkswagen’s Sustainability Efforts Include the World’s Most Fuel Efficient Car
The Electric Tesla S is Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2013
Toyota and Tesla Making Electric S
Competition in the 2011 Greener Car Market
US Fuel Efficiency Standards Surpass European Standards
The Obama Administration’s New Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Standards of 54.5 MPG
America’s Fuel Efficiency Standards of 35 MPG
American Electric Vehicle Strategy
Car Sharing Programs a New More Efficient Way to Drive
WWF Canada’s Goal of 600,000 EVs by 2020
Competition in Green Vehicles
The Top 10 Green Cars of 2011
Global Demand for Hybrid Vehicles
EV Sales Predictions in the US
Factors Determining Adoption Rate of EVs
Electric Vehicles Increasingly Competitive
The US is Positioned to Lead the Global Demand for EVs
ISO Standards and Greener Vehicles
Greening Vehicle Fleets
The Value of Electric Vehicle Subsidies
Assessing the Environmental Impact of Electric and Hybrid Vehicle
Hybrids Could Substantially Reduce US Fossil Fuel Consumption
Electric Vehicles Will Drive Demand for Lithium
