Toyota ends production of diesel family cars

TOYOTA has announced it is ending production of passenger cars powered by diesel.

The decision, the first by a global manufacturer, means there will effectively be no new diesel Toyota cars on sale in Ireland next year.

It will affect thousands of Irish buyers planning on renewing or trading-in a diesel this year.

There will be question marks raised by many over the wisdom of buying a diesel car against the backdrop of such renewed uncertainly over the fuel’s future.

Equally there will be doubts cast on the value of diesel trade-ins.

Overall, diesel car sales here fell 17pc in the year to January last.

Toyota’s distributors in Ireland registered 4,768 diesel cars last year.

Its current sales of diesels are running at just 20pc of its overall mix – compared with 60pc two years ago.

By comparison, hybrids now account for nearly 50pc of its car sales.

That, it says, is where it is going to concentrate its energies.

While its passenger diesels will cease from this year, Toyota’s Land Cruiser, Hilux and Proace vehicles will continue with diesel engines as will its commercial vehicles “to meet business needs”, the company said.

Other car makers are bound to be considering similar moves.

Toyota Ireland chief Steve Tormey said the announcement showed how serious it is about making cleaner cars as it prepares to lead the Irish market out of diesel.