Canon Adds Hybrid Vehicles to Corporate Fleet

Media Release
25 June 2004

Canon Adds Hybrid Vehicles to Corporate Fleet as part of
Environmental Commitment

Canon New Zealand’s environmental policy has shifted up a gear with the recent purchase of a number of hybrid vehicles to add to its corporate fleet.

The Toyota Prius Hybrid Vehicles will be driven by sales representatives in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and will display the Canon green environmental logo.

The 1.5 litre car, which is the latest environmental statement among some of Hollywood’s biggest names such as Cameron Diaz, is ‘greener’ due to its fuel economy and low pollution resulting from its electric motor.

Canon New Zealand’s managing director, Gordon Lamont said the decision to purchase the hybrid vehicles was a natural extension of the company’s Kyosei philosophy, a Japanese term that means living and working together for the common good.

“At Canon, our commitment to this philosophy is given practical expression through a wide range of proactive measures, such as our international Clean Earth Recycling Campaign, our abolishment of CFCs from manufacturing processes and our commitment to reducing and controlling ozone-depleting emissions from Canon business machines.

“This latest initiative is another practical demonstration of Canon’s commitment to the environment.”

With New Zealanders owning more than three million vehicles it is not surprising that transport accounts for 42 per cent of the country’s carbon monoxide emissions. Nor is it surprising that vehicle pollution levels in Auckland are on par with New York and regularly exceed World Health Organisation standards, with more than 80 per cent of Aucklanders using a car as their means of getting to work.

The Toyota Prius produces significantly less exhaust emissions than those from a car of similar size while achieving petrol consumption of only 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres.

Canon tested both the Toyota hybrid Prius model and Honda’s hybrid Civic and has purchased a small number of the Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles so far, with plans to purchase more units from both companies over the coming months.

International recognition for Canon's contribution to a clean, green environment has included the coveted Blue Angel Award in Germany and the Chairman's Award from the National Geographic Society. Canon continues to be very active in environmental sponsorships worldwide.

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