Toyota to Start DPNR Monitoring Program in Europe

TOKYO ― TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today it will begin this month a monitoring program in Europe to evaluate real-world application of its revolutionary DPNR diesel emissions purification system. The 18-month program will feature 60 diesel-powered units of the European-market Toyota Avensis as a step toward Toyota°s planned market introduction of a DPNR-equipped model.

DPNR (short for "Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction System") simultaneously and continuously reduces particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx), two of the most challenging elements in diesel vehicle exhaust gas. This simple and compact system, which was unveiled in July 2000, was developed to complement Toyota's advanced electronically controlled common-rail fuel injection system, also featured in the DPNR Avensis monitoring program.

The popularity of diesel-powered vehicles in Europe ― as well as the urban appeal of the medium-size Avensis ― led to the planned monitoring program, which will span seven countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom. The results will be used to prepare the DPNR system for commercial launch.