TM » Topics » Vehicle Safety

This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 24, 2009.

Vehicle Safety

Japanese Standards

Standards relating to pedestrian head protection are applicable to all new models manufactured after September 2005 with certain exceptions, and vehicles continued to be manufactured after September 2010. In addition, standards requiring protection against electrocution will apply to hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles manufactured on and after July 1, 2012, and regulations relating to vehicles powered by lithium ion rechargeable batteries were implemented in November 2008.

For the purpose of harmonizing with the international standards, frontal offset collision standards are applied to (i) new passenger vehicle models manufactured after September 2007 and passenger vehicles continued to be manufactured after September 2009, and to (ii) new cargo vehicles models manufactured after April 2011 and cargo vehicles continued to be manufactured after April 2016. In addition, seatbelt anchorage and seatbelt standards are also expected to be combined with the Economic Commission for Europe (“ECE”) and cars manufactured after July 2012 are required to meet these standards. Standards relating to interference are currently under consideration.

U.S. Standards

The U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or Safety Act, requires vehicles and equipment sold in the United States to meet various safety standards issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Safety Act also authorizes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate complaints relating to vehicle safety and to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles found to have safety-related defects. The cost of these recalls can be substantial depending on the nature of the repair and the number of vehicles affected.

The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act was enacted in the United States on November 1, 2000. This Act required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to regulate the dynamic rollover standards and to upgrade federal motor vehicle safety standards relating to tires. It also required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to enhance its authority to gather information potentially relating to motor vehicle defects. This Act substantially increases the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s authority to impose civil penalties for noncompliance with regulatory requirements and specifies possible criminal penalties for violations of the federal Fraud and False Statements Act. Under this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expanded its New Car Assessment Program to implement consumer information programs for vehicle rollover resistance and child restraints and adopted extensive early warning defect reporting requirements in 2002, and strengthened regulations regarding tire-pressure monitoring systems in 2005.

Legislation on transportation budget plan promoting a safe and efficient vehicle safety program for drivers, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was passed in August 2005. The legislation requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to propose and issue standards to reduce rollover accidents (by October 1, 2006), to complete the creation of standards for reduction of vehicle passenger release from cars at the time of rollover accidents (by October 1, 2009), to upgrade door lock standards (by February 2008), to complete the upgrade of roof crash standards (proposal for the standard should be made by December 31, 2005 and the final standard should be decided by July 1, 2008), to decide on the standard on side impact for the improvement of protection performance of vehicle passengers in all seats location (by July 1, 2008), to review a seat belt wearing technology and to complete a study including proposal for improving the rate of seat belt usage (by July 1, 2008), to establish standards to display New Car Assessment Program rating to new cars label (applied on or after September 1, 2007), and to complete the upgrade of the standard for power windows that will require pulling up switches (by April 1, 2007). Some actions have already been taken in response to the above requirements.

 

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In February 2008, legislation to prevent non-traffic related injuries to young children caused by vehicles, the “Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act”, was passed. The legislation requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make rules to ensure safety on all passenger vehicles, including the following: (1) to begin rulemaking to require features that will prevent children from getting caught in power windows (by August 28, 2009) and decide on the standard or on the discontinuance of the rulemaking (by August 30, 2010); (2) to begin rulemaking to require rearward visibility to prevent children from being struck by backing vehicle (by March 2, 2009) and decide on the standard (by February 28, 2011); and (3) to require placing vehicle service breaks on or after September 1, 2010.

Toyota actively invests in technology development designed to increase the safety of its vehicles. Toyota is developing technologies to increase the availability of existing safety systems to all types of its vehicles. These technologies include supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, anti-lock braking systems, side airbags, curtain shield airbags, vehicle stability control and other safety features.

European, Canadian and Other Standards

In Europe, following the White Paper “European transport policy for 2010: time to decide” adopted in 2001, which declares targeting to halve the number of deaths caused by road accidents by 2010, various groups in different fields are currently conducting research and analyses. In addition, the “Road Safety Action Programme” adopted by the European Commission in 2003 envisions the reduction in deaths from road accidents by utilizing technological advancement relating to the improvement in vehicle safety. The White Paper and the Action Programme aim to promote the introduction of safety features such as automatic cruise control, speed alert system, intelligent speed limitation devices, alcohol lock, whiplash prevention, collision prevention, universal child restraints system (CRS) and seat belt reminders.

The European Commission and the ACEA have established CARS 21, High Level Group that aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, and examined the recommendations with the legal framework of a decade later in mind. The CARS 21 final report issued at the end of 2005 contains recommendations relating to the simplification of legislation and road safety, among other issues, and indicates a Ten Year Roadmap. In addition, in February 2007, the European Commission issued a communication regarding the CARS 21 Final Report, in which concrete action plans for future legislation were announced. The plans called to make it mandatory for all passenger vehicles to be equipped with ISOFIX CRS by 2009. The plans further contemplated making it mandatory for cars to be equipped with Daytime Running Lamp (“DRL”), Electric Stability Control, Seatbelt Reminder and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. And finally, the plans mentioned the need for further consideration of the regulation pertaining to roll-resistant tires, the revision of phase-two of the pedestrian protection and the technological feasibility of automatic collision mitigation braking system. The European Commission carried out a mid-term review of CARS 21 in October 2008 and confirmed that active safety systems and intelligent transport systems should be utilized. The European Commission also confirmed its intention to agree a series of new, post-2010 objectives for road safety at a European level, while not limiting the ability of individual member states to set national targets. Thereafter, in May 2008, the European Commission proposed to require new model cars from 2011 to have electronic stability control systems, introducing regulations relating to low rolling resistance tires from 2013 and requiring tire pressure monitoring systems from 2012. Heavy vehicles are proposed to have advanced emergency braking systems and lane departure warning systems from 2013. The Commission further proposed to repeal more than 50 existing European Commission directives and to replace them with a single regulation aimed to incorporate United Nations standards. This regulatory framework is expected to be released during 2009.

Vehicle safety regulations in Canada are similar to those in the United States. Among the ASEAN countries, in 2006, Thailand and Malaysia acceded to the 1958 agreement of UN regarding safety regulations and both countries plan to develop a legal system in order to incorporate ECE Regulations into domestic laws. Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines will soon follow suit by acceding to the 1958 agreement, thereby ASEAN country will require to comply with the ECE Regulations. Countries in South America and

 

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the Middle East have also adopted automobile safety regulations, with South America generally following standards set by the UN, ECE or the U.S., and the Middle East basing their domestic laws primarily on international regulations or legal standards.

This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 25, 2008.

Vehicle Safety

Japanese Standards

In March 2005, regulations applicable to compressed hydrogen gas powered fuel cell vehicles were introduced. The regulations involve technology standards such as those relating to collision, prevention of hydrogen leaks and protection from high-voltage.

Regulations relating to pedestrian protection are applicable to all new models manufactured after September 2005 with certain exceptions and vehicles manufactured after September 2010. Frontal offset collision will be required for all new passenger vehicle models manufactured after September 2007 and for all passenger vehicles manufactured after September 2009, and the installation of seat belt reminders is required for driver’s seats of new models manufactured after September 2005 and for all vehicles manufactured after September 2008. In addition, for the purpose of harmonizing with the international standards, driving visibility standards, seatbelt anchorage and seatbelt standards are also expected to be combined with the Economic Commission for Europe (“ECE”) and all cars manufactured after July 2012 are required to meet these standards. All Toyota motor vehicles currently sold in Japan meet or exceed applicable Japanese safety standards.

U.S. Standards

The U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or Safety Act, requires vehicles and equipment sold in the United States to meet various safety standards issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Safety Act also authorizes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate complaints relating to vehicle safety and to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles found to have safety-related defects. The cost of these recalls can be substantial depending on the nature of the repair and the number of vehicles affected.

The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act was enacted in the United States on November 1, 2000. This Act required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to regulate

 

33


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the dynamic rollover standards and to upgrade federal motor vehicle safety standards relating to tires. It also required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to enhance its authority to gather information potentially relating to motor vehicle defects. This Act substantially increases the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s authority to impose civil penalties for noncompliance with regulatory requirements and specifies possible criminal penalties for violations of the federal Fraud and False Statements Act. Under this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expanded its New Car Assessment Program to implement consumer information programs for vehicle rollover resistance and child restraints and adopted extensive early warning defect reporting requirement in 2002, and strengthened regulations regarding tire-pressure monitoring systems in 2005.

Legislation on transportation budget plan promoting a safe and efficient vehicle safety program for drivers, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) was passed in August 2005. The legislation requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to propose and issue standards to reduce rollover accidents (by October 1, 2006), to complete the creation of standards for reduction of vehicle passenger release from cars at the time of rollover accidents (by October 1, 2009), to upgrade door lock standards (within 30 months after the passage of the bill), to complete the upgrade of roof crash standards (proposal for the standard should be made by December 31, 2005 and the final standard should be decided by July 1, 2008), to decide on the standard on side impact for the improvement of protection performance of vehicle passengers in all seats location (by July 1, 2008), to review a seat belt wearing technology and to complete a study including proposal for improving the rate of seat belt usage (by July 1, 2008), to establish standards to display New Car Assessment Program rating to new cars label (applied on or after September 1, 2007), and to complete the upgrade of the standard for power windows that will require pulling up switches (by April 1, 2007). Some actions have already been taken in response to the above requirements.

In February 2008, legislation to prevent non-traffic related injuries to young children caused by vehicles, the “Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act”, was passed. The legislation requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make rules to ensure safety on all passenger vehicles, including the following: (1) to begin rulemaking to require features that will prevent children from getting caught in power windows (by August 28, 2009) and decide on the standard or on the discontinuance of the rulemaking (by August 30, 2010); (2) to begin rulemaking to require rearward visibility to prevent children from being struck by backing vehicle (by March 2, 2009) and decide on the standard (by February 28, 2011); and (3) to require placing vehicle service breaks on or after September 1, 2010.

Toyota actively invests in technology development designed to increase the safety of its vehicles. Toyota is developing technologies to increase the availability of existing safety systems to all types of its vehicles. These technologies include supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, anti-lock braking systems, side airbags, curtain shield airbags, vehicle stability control and other safety features.

European, Canadian and Other Standards

In Europe, following the White Paper “European transport policy for 2010: time to decide” adopted in 2001, which declares targeting to halve the number of deaths caused by road accidents by 2010, various groups in different fields are currently conducting research and analyses. In addition, the “Road Safety Action Programme” adopted by the European Commission in 2003 envisions the reduction in deaths from road accidents by utilizing technological advancement relating to the improvement in vehicle safety. The White Paper and the Action Programme aim to promote the introduction of safety features such as automatic cruise control, speed alert system, intelligent speed limitation devices, alcohol lock, whiplash prevention, collision prevention, universal child restraints system (CRS) and seat belt reminders.

The European Commission and the ACEA have established CARS 21, High Level Group that aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, and examined the recommendations with the legal framework of a decade later in mind. The CARS 21 final report issued at the end of 2005 contains recommendations relating to the simplification of legislation and road safety, among other issues, and indicates a

 

34


Table of Contents

Ten Year Roadmap. In addition, in February 2007, the European Commission issued a communication regarding the CARS 21 Final Report, in which concrete action plans for future legislation were announced. The plans called to make it mandatory for all passenger vehicles to be equipped with ISOFIX CRS by 2009. The plans further contemplated making it mandatory for cars to be equipped with Daytime Running Lights (“DRL”), Electric Stability Control, Seatbelt Reminder and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. And finally, the plans mentioned the need for further consideration of the regulation pertaining to roll-resistant tires, the revision of phase-two of the pedestrian protection and the technological feasibility of automatic collision mitigation braking system. In October 2007, the European Commission proposed such new requirements for enhanced (phase 2) pedestrian protection. Thereafter, in May 2008, the European Commission proposed to require new cars from 2012 to have electronic stability control systems, low rolling resistance tires and tire pressure monitoring systems. Heavy vehicles are proposed to have advance emergency braking and lane departure warning systems from 2013. The Commission further proposed to repeal more than 150 existing European Union directives and to replace them with a single regulation aimed to incorporate United Nations standards.

Vehicle safety regulations in Canada are similar to those in the United States. Among the ASEAN countries, in 2006, Thailand and Malaysia acceded to the 1958 agreement of UN regarding safety regulations and both countries plan to develop a legal system in order to incorporate ECE Regulations into domestic laws. Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines will soon follow suit by acceding to the 1958 agreement, thereby ASEAN country will require to comply with the ECE Regulations. Countries in South America regulations and the Middle East have also adopted automobile safety regulations, with South America generally following standards set by the UN, ECE or the U.S., and the Middle East basing their domestic laws primarily on international regulations or legal standards.

This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 25, 2007.

Vehicle Safety

Japanese Standards

In March 2005, regulations applicable to compressed hydrogen gas powered fuel cell vehicles were introduced. The regulations involve technology standards such as those relating to collision, prevention of hydrogen leaks and protection from high-voltage.

Regulations relating to pedestrian protection are applicable to all new models manufactured after September 2005 with certain exceptions and vehicles manufactured after September 2010. Frontal offset collision will be required for all new passenger vehicle models manufactured after September 2007 and for all passenger vehicles manufactured after September 2009, and the installation of seat belt reminders is required for driver’s seats of new models manufactured after September 2005 and for all vehicles manufactured after September 2008. In addition, for the purpose of harmonizing with the international standards, driving visibility standards, seatbelt anchorage and seatbelt standards are also expected to be combined with the Economic Commission for Europe (“ECE”) and all cars manufactured after July 2012 are required to meet these standards. All Toyota motor vehicles currently sold in Japan meet or exceed applicable Japanese safety standards.

U.S. Standards

The U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or Safety Act, requires vehicles and equipment sold in the United States to meet various safety standards issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Safety Act also authorizes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate complaints relating to vehicle safety and to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles found to have safety-related defects. The cost of these recalls can be substantial depending on the nature of the repair and the number of vehicles affected.

The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act was enacted in the United States on November 1, 2000. This Act required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to upgrade federal motor vehicle safety standards relating to tires based on a dynamic vehicle test that takes into account the rollover propensity of vehicles. It also requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to enhance its authority to gather information potentially relating to motor vehicle defects. This Act substantially increases the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s authority to impose civil penalties for noncompliance with

 

31


Table of Contents

regulatory requirements and specifies possible criminal penalties for violations of the federal Fraud and False Statements Act. Under this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expanded its New Car Assessment Program to implement consumer information programs for vehicle rollover resistance and child restraints and adopted extensive early warning defect reporting requirement in 2002, and strengthened regulations regarding tire-pressure monitoring systems in 2005.

In July 2005, a highway bill which requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to enhance its safety standards was passed by the U.S. Congress. The bill requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to propose standards for reduction of rollover accidents (by October 1, 2006), to complete the creation of standards for reduction of vehicle passenger release from cars at the time of rollover accidents (by October 1, 2009), to upgrade door lock standards (within 30 months after the passage of the bill), to upgrade roof crash standards (proposal should be made by December 31, 2005 and a final rule should be made by July 1, 2008), to issue a final rule on side impact for the improvement of protection performance of vehicle passengers in all seats location (by July 1, 2008), to review a seat belt wearing technology and to complete a study including proposal for improving the rate of seat belt usage (by July 1, 2008), to establish rules on requirements to display New Car Assessment Program rating to new cars label (applied on or after September 1, 2007), and to complete upgrading FMVSS118 (so that power windows will be closed by pulling up a switch) (by April 1, 2007). Some actions have already been taken in response to the above requirements. For example, standards for reduction of rollover accidents were proposed in September 2006, and a final rule was issued in April 2007. And final rules on requirements for displaying New Car Assessment Program rating to new cars label and upgrading of FMVSS118 were issued in September 2006 and June 2006, respectively.

Toyota actively invests in technology development designed to increase the safety of its vehicles. Toyota is developing technologies to increase the availability of existing safety systems to all types of its vehicles. These technologies include supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, anti-lock braking systems, side airbags, curtain shield airbags, vehicle stability control and other safety features.

European, Canadian and Other Standards

In Europe, following the White Paper “European transport policy for 2010: time to decide” adopted in 2001, which declares targeting to halve the number of deaths caused by road accidents by 2010, various groups in different fields are currently conducting research and analyses. In addition, the “Road Safety Action Programme” adopted by the European Commission in 2003 envisions the reduction in deaths from road accidents by utilizing technological advancement relating to the improvement in vehicle safety. The White Paper and the Action Programme aim to promote the introduction of safety features such as automatic cruise control, speed alert system, intelligent speed limitation devices, alcohol lock, whiplash prevention, collision prevention, universal child restraints (CRS) and seat belt reminders. The European Commission and the ACEA have established CARS 21, High Level Group that aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, and examined the recommendations with the legal framework of a decade later in mind. The CARS 21 final report issued at the end of 2005 contains recommendations relating to the simplification of legislation and road safety, among other issues, and indicates a Ten Year Roadmap. In addition, in February 2007, the European Commission issued a communication regarding the CARS 21 Final Report, in which concrete action plans for future legislation were announced. According to the action plans, in 2007, the WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval) will directly refer to ECE Regulations. It is also expected that in 2008-2009, the “self-test” and “virtual test” systems will be introduced. The plans also call to make it mandatory for all passenger vehicles to be equipped with ISOFIX CRS by 2009. The plans further contemplate making it mandatory for cars to be equipped with Daytime Running Lights, Electric Stability Control, Seatbelt Reminder and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. And finally, the plans mention the need for further consideration of the regulation pertaining to roll-resistant tires, the revision of phase-two of the pedestrian protection and the technological feasibility of collision mitigation braking system.

Vehicle safety regulations in Canada are similar to those in the United States. Among the ASEAN countries, in 2006, Thailand and Malaysia acceded to the 1958 agreement of UN regarding safety regulations and both

 

32


Table of Contents

countries plan to develop a legal system in order to incorporate ECE Regulations into domestic laws. Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines will soon follow suit by acceding to the 1958 agreement, thereby ASEAN countries will be required to comply with the ECE Regulations. Countries in South America and the Middle East have also adopted automobile safety regulations, with South America generally following standards set by the UN, ECE or the U.S., and the Middle East basing their domestic laws primarily on international regulations or legal standards.

This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 26, 2006.

Vehicle Safety

Japanese Standards

In March 2005, regulations applicable to compressed hydrogen gas powered fuel cell vehicles were introduced. The regulations involve technology standards such as those relating to collision, prevention of hydrogen leaks and protection from high-voltage.

Regulations relating to pedestrian safety are applicable to all new models manufactured after September 2005 with certain exceptions and vehicles manufactured after September 2010, except for certain types of vehicles. Offset frontal protection will be required for all new models manufactured after September 2007 and for all cars manufactured after September 2009, and the installation of seat belt reminders is required for driver’s seats of new models manufactured after September 2005 and for all vehicles manufactured after September 2008. In addition, more stringent regulations on driving visibility standards, seatbelt anchorage and seatbelt are also expected to be implemented. All Toyota motor vehicles currently sold in Japan meet or exceed applicable Japanese safety standards.

U.S. Standards

The U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or Safety Act, requires vehicles and equipment sold in the United States to meet various safety standards issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Safety Act also authorizes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate complaints relating to vehicle safety and to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles found to have safety-related defects. The cost of these recalls can be substantial depending on the nature of the repair and the number of vehicles affected.

In 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued various motor vehicle safety standards, including an interim final rule specifying performance requirements for advanced airbag systems. The rule imposes a new regimen of tests with stringent new injury criteria and sets forth a compliance phase in schedule mandating that 20% of all vehicles produced by a manufacturer from September 2003, 65% from September 2004, and 100% from September 2005, meet the new safety standard. These standards add to the cost and complexity of designing and producing new motor vehicles and original motor vehicle equipment.

The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act was enacted in the United States on November 1, 2000. This Act requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to upgrade federal motor vehicle safety standards relating to tires based on a dynamic vehicle test that takes into account the rollover propensity of vehicles. It also requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to initiate new rules that enhance its authority to gather information potentially relating to motor vehicle defects. This Act substantially increases the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s authority to impose civil penalties for noncompliance with regulatory requirements and specifies possible criminal penalties for violations of the federal Fraud and False Statements Act. Under this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expanded its New Car Assessment Program to implement consumer information programs for vehicle rollover resistance and child restraints and adopted extensive early warning defect reporting requirement in 2002, and strengthened regulations regarding tire-pressure monitoring systems in 2005.

 

31


Table of Contents

Toyota actively invests in technologies designed to increase the safety of its vehicles. Toyota is developing technologies to increase the availability of existing safety systems to all segments of the market. These technologies include supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, anti-lock braking systems, side airbags, curtain shield airbags, vehicle stability control and other safety features.

European and Other Standards

In Europe, following the White Paper “European transport policy for 2010: time to decide” adopted in 2001, which declares targeting to halve the number of deaths caused by road accidents by 2010, various groups in different fields are currently conducting research and analyses. In addition, the “Road Safety Action Programme” adopted by the European Commission in 2003 envisions the reduction in deaths from road accidents by utilizing technological advancement relating to the improvement in vehicle safety. The White Paper and the Action Programme promote the introduction of safety features such as automatic cruise control, speed alert system, intelligent speed limitation devices, alcohol lock, whiplash prevention, collision prevention, universal child restraints (CRS) and seat belt reminders. The European Commission and the ACEA have established CARS 21, High Level Group that aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, and examined the recommendations with the legal framework of a decade later in mind. The CARS 21 final report issued at the end of 2005 contains recommendations relating to the simplification of legislation and road safety, among other issues, and indicates a Ten Year Roadmap. The report discusses electronic stability control, seatbelt reminders, break assist systems, CRS (isofix child seats) and daytime running lights. It is possible that this will have an impact on legislation. Further, based on the White Paper and the Road Safety Action Programme, regulations relating to indirect vision have been strengthened. The European Union regulates the safety of not only vehicle passengers but also that of pedestrians and at present, phase two of regulations are being reviewed.

Vehicle safety regulations in Canada are similar to those in the United States. Countries in South America and Asia have also established vehicle safety regulations. Countries that are members of ASEAN are generally believed to follow regulations promulgated by the United Nations and countries in South America are generally believed to follow those of the United Nations or the United States.

This excerpt taken from the TM 20-F filed Jun 24, 2005.

Vehicle Safety

 

Japanese Standards

 

In March 2005, regulations of compressed hydrogen gas powered fuel cell vehicles were introduced. The regulations involve technology standards such as those relating to collision, prevention of hydrogen leaks and protection from high-voltage.

 

30


Table of Contents

Regulations relating to pedestrian safety are applicable to new models manufactured after September 2005 and vehicles manufactured after September 2010, except for certain types of vehicles, and the installation of seat belt reminders is required for driver’s seats of new models manufactured after September 2005 and for all vehicles manufactured after September 2008. In addition, more stringent regulations on driving visibility standards, offset frontal protection and front underrun protection are also expected to be introduced. All Toyota motor vehicles currently sold in Japan meet or exceed applicable Japanese safety standards.

 

U.S. Standards

 

The U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 requires vehicles and equipment sold in the United States to meet various safety standards issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Safety Act also authorizes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate complaints relating to vehicle safety and to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles found to have safety-related defects. The cost of these recalls can be substantial depending on the nature of the repair and the number of vehicles affected.

 

In 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued various motor vehicle safety standards, including an interim final rule specifying performance requirements for advanced airbag systems. The rule imposes a new regimen of tests with stringent new injury criteria, and sets forth a compliance phase in schedule mandating that 20% of all vehicles produced by a manufacturer from September 2003, 65% from September 2004, and 100% from September 2005, meet the new safety standard. These standards add to the cost and complexity of designing and producing new motor vehicles and original motor vehicle equipment. Toyota has complied with the first phase of requirements that took place in September 2003. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues to make proposals on subjects such as fuel system crash integrity and universal child restraint anchorages.

 

The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act was enacted in the United States on November 1, 2000. This Act requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to upgrade federal motor vehicle safety standards relating to tires based on a dynamic vehicle test that takes into account the rollover propensity of vehicles. It also requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to initiate new rules that enhance its authority to gather information potentially relating to motor vehicle defects. This Act substantially increases the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s authority to impose civil penalties for noncompliance with regulatory requirements and specifies possible criminal penalties for violations of the federal Fraud and False Statements Act. Under this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration expanded its New Car Assessment Program to implement consumer information programs for vehicle rollover resistance and child restraints and adopted extensive early warning defect reporting requirement in 2002, and will strengthen regulations regarding tire-pressure monitoring systems in 2005.

 

Toyota actively invests in technologies designed to increase the safety of its vehicles. Toyota is developing technologies to increase the availability of existing safety systems to all segments of the market. These technologies include supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, anti-lock braking systems, side airbags, curtain shield airbags, vehicle stability control and other safety features.

 

European and Other Standards

 

In Europe, following the White Paper “European transport policy for 2010: time to decide” adopted in 2001, which declares targeting to halve the number of deaths caused by road accidents by 2010, various groups in different fields are currently conducting research and analyses. In addition, the “Road Safety Action Programme” adopted by the European Commission in 2003 envisions the reduction in deaths from road accidents by utilizing technological advancement relating to the improvement in vehicle safety. The White Paper and the Action Programme promote the introduction of safety features such as automatic cruise control, speed alert system, intelligent speed limitation devices, alcohol lock, whiplash prevention, collision prevention, universal child

 

31


Table of Contents

restraints (CRS) and seat belt reminders. Depending on the discussions, it is possible that this will have an impact on legislation. Further, based on the White Paper and the Action Programme, regulations relating to indirect vision have been strengthened. The European Union has also passed legislation relating to the safety of not only vehicle passengers but also that of pedestrians.

 

Vehicle safety regulations in Canada are similar to those in the United States. Countries in South America and Asia have also established vehicle safety regulations. Countries that are members of ASEAN are generally believed to follow regulations promulgated by the United Nations and countries in South America are generally believed to follow those of the United Nations or the United States.

 

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