Toyota Prius hybrid features Ingeo fiber

TOKYO, JAPAN: A special floor mat available for the fully–remodeled third-generation Toyota Prius uses an advanced Ingeo based fiber.

Known as the world’s most eco-conscious car, Toyota Prius features world-leading mileage (38km/L), a solar powered ventilation system, and environmentally friendly plant-derived plastics for seat cushion foam, cowl side trim, inner and outer scuff plates, and deck trim cover.

Now, the new Prius adds to these bio-based materials by offering optional floor mats (deluxe type) using an advanced Ingeo fiber system.

As a result of reducing the use of fossil resource as much as possible in its manufacturing process from feedstock to factory shipment, Ingeo reduces the fossil fuel use by 65 percent and cuts by 90 percent the CO2 emission when compared to the petroleum-derived nylon resin used in traditional floor mats.

By adopting the Ingeo mat products, Toyota benefits from the unique environmental advantages of a fiber made from plants, not oil. This adoption of new floor mats exemplifies Toyota’s belief that the use of environmentally friendly materials is as equally important as design and product performance.

“We have long looked at Japan as an ‘innovation engine’ for our Ingeo business,” noted Marc Verbruggen, NatureWorks CEO. “With Toyota’s latest development, we recognize their achievement in leading the automotive industry’s efforts with excellence in bio-based product performance and innovation.”

NatureWorks in Japan supplied Ingeo to Toyota Tsusho Corp., which developed the new environmentally friendly floor mats.

Kyocera supplies solar modules for Toyota Prius

KYOTO, JAPAN: Kyocera Corp. announced that it is supplying solar modules for the new Toyota Prius solar ventilation system, an optional feature for the hybrid car model introduced in Japan by Toyota Motor Corp. on May 18.

The system ventilates the air inside of the car by using the electricity generated by the solar module on the rooftop to drive the fans while the car is parked during the daytime. This feature automatically moderates temperature rise inside of the vehicle even during hot seasons.

For this product, Kyocera has implemented strict quality control evaluations, done through rigorous testing to confirm heat resistance, vibration resistance, shock resistance and other aspects, in order to ensure that the quality meets the standards required for onboard components used on the new Prius. For the production of this module, Kyocera has set up a dedicated production line with specialized manufacturing engineers to ensure thorough manufacturing control.

By supplying solar modules for the Prius, a leading eco-car that has won praise all over the world, Kyocera is proud to offer a new function for the use of solar modules to the owners of the vehicles.