Vietnam’s commitment to environmental protection and the urge for greener cars

Sustainable Mobility – the unavoidable trend for Vietnam, one of the fasting growing economy in South East Asia

This is the statement that was announced and agreed by both government officers and representatives from Toyota Motor Asia Pacific in a series of seminars and exhibitions recently held in Hanoi, Vietnam on June 1st and 2nd, 2017. During this 2-day event on Toyota hybrid technology, hosted by Toyota Motor Vietnam; Vietnamese media, automotive enthusiasts as well as dealers and customers had, for the first time, an up-close look and hands-on experience with the Toyota Prius Hybrid cars and its green technology.

Vietnam’s commitment to environmental protection and the urge for greener cars

The event was set during a time when Vietnamese government is paying more attention than ever to environmental issues. According to a 2015 report and forecast from Vietnam Ministry of Nature Resource and Environment (MONRE), each 1% GDP increase will cost 3% GDP to solve environmental problems, and ration to solve health problems cost 1,2% GDP by 2020, 4 times compared with 2010. Speaking at the event, Mr. Pho Duc Son – Director of Vietnam Standard and Quality Institute, clearly pointed out Vietnamese government’s direction to encourage environmental friendly car including hybrid for the purpose of environment protection and sustainable government. In detail, the Institute is working alongside other government offices to improve legal system in order to encourage auto makers to introduce environmental friendly cars to Vietnam.

Toyota’s efforts and technology to support its philosophy

Throughout the event, one key message that was communicated to participants by representatives from Toyota was not purely related to technology, but to its commitment for the environment. In his presentation, Mr. Vince Socco, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, spoke with excitement and enthusiasm: “Environmental sustainability has always been a key business priority for Toyota. In early on, we already realized that we needed to do extra in order to meet the new environmental challenges to help save our planet. So in October 2015 we announced the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050. In essence, it’s about go beyond zero environmental impact in actually achieving net possitive impact to the environment.” This is considered the follow up of Toyota’s philosophy set forth by Mr Sakichi Toyoda, founder of Toyota Industries Corporation.

The hybrid technology that amazed all

The most wanted moments of the whole event was the test drive segment on the Toyota Prius as this is the first time Toyota officially introduce hybrid technology in Vietnam. Through this segment, technology professors, automotive enthusiasts and customers had an opportunity to experience immediate key benefits of the car which includes quietness, powerful drive and high fuel efficiency. Although low emission is a bigger picture of benefit of the hybrid technology, fun to drive is also a highlighted experience.

“Go green in the perfect eco-friendly head turner. In my opinion, Toyota Prius is not only long on great fuel economy, but also it looks good and behind the wheel it feels even better than conventional cars. Because I know exactly I’m driving a car that does good to the environment.” – said Nguyen Hung, an editor from Otofun, one of the biggest automotive online network and forum in Vietnam.

Agreeing with Hung about the eco-friendly feature, Vu Bao Phong, a journalist specialized in technology and automotive program from Vietnam Television elaborated on his own amazement of the Prius: “How to provide for our increasing daily transportation needs without destroying the environment is one of the most important questions we will face this century. One answer has just appeared on the horizon in the shape of Toyota’s Prius. I was blown away when heard of its [Prius] 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that combines the motor and electric generators and a continuously variable transmission. And the beauty here, is that it consumes only 3 liter of gasoline per 100km”.

Overall, this was an interactive event where participants had a chance to exchange insights and discuss about the vision for sustainable mobility in Vietnam. However, there was one question remained unanswered. That was the official release date. Once revealed, this will sure to see lots of excitement and enthusiasm from Vietnamese.