Toyota Sets the Standard for Fuel Efficiency

    TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 31 Toyota has more vehicles rated
"most fuel-efficient" in their classes than any other automotive brand.

    Based on 2001 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Most Fuel Efficient
rankings, the ECHO subcompact sedan, RAV4 compact sport utility vehicle (SUV),
Avalon full-size sedan, Tacoma compact pickup, Sienna minivan and Prius
gasoline/electric hybrid sedan are all leaders in their respective classes for
fuel economy.

    The ratings are based on EPA Size Classes, ranked by city miles per gallon
(mpg) and included 40 vehicles in 16 classes.

    "It's good news for consumers that so many diverse vehicles in our product
line are leaders in fuel-efficiency," said Don Esmond, Toyota Division's group
vice president and general manager for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.  "This
accomplishment is another testament of our continual commitment to design and
manufacture quality vehicles that are safe, reliable and fuel-conscious with
low emissions."

    The EPA city/highway fuel economy and EPA-certified emissions for the
vehicles are as follows:

    -- Prius - "Best Compact Cars" - 52/45 mpg for 1.5-liter, four-cylinder
       engine with automatic transmission, super ultra low emission vehicle
       (SULEV)

    -- ECHO - "Best Compact Cars" - 34/41 mpg for 1.5-liter, four-cylinder
       engine with manual transmission, low emission vehicle (LEV)

    -- RAV4 - "Best Small SUV" - 25/31 mpg for 2WD, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder
       engine with manual transmission, LEV

    -- Avalon - "Best Large Cars" - 21/29 mpg for 3.0-liter, V6 engine with
       automatic transmission, LEV

    -- Tacoma -  "Best Standard Pickup Trucks" - 21/23 mpg for 2WD, 2.4-liter,
       four-cylinder engine with automatic transmission, LEV

    -- Sienna - "Best Minivans" - 19/24 mpg for 3.0-liter, V6 engine with
       automatic transmission, LEV

    Next week, Toyota will feature the vehicles in a national advertising
campaign which demonstrates the company's dedication to providing the most
resourceful vehicles with the least effect on the environment.