Toyota Japan Plants Complete Paint Goal

Toyota Motor Corp. says the vehicle body paint shops at its nine Japanese vehicle assembly plants now all use metallic waterborne top coats.

Toyota began the introduction of waterborne paint at its Takaoka plant in August 1999 and recently switched over to the material at its Motomachi facility.

Toyota says the switch from conventional top coats has reduced the amount of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions 45% from fiscal-year 2000 to fiscal 2005.

As part of its fourth environmental action plan, Toyota vows it will reduce VOC emission levels even further by fiscal 2010, through the use of waterborne middle coats and bumper paint.