Our complaint last week to the ACCC regarding advertising for the Toyota Prius has received some some media coverage this week. We have argued Toyota's claim that "if everyone drove a Prius … then each one of us could reduce our greenhouse gasses by 1 tonne per year" are based on misleading figures.

Both the Sydney Morning Herald and online news service Brisbane Times ran a piece on it.

We will receive a reply from the ACCC within 28 days and we'll keep you up to date with any developments.

Media Release 22 June 2007
For Immediate Release

Corporate watchdog Corporate Watch Australia (CWA) has today accused Toyota Australia of making false and misleading claims about its Prius hybrid car, and requested that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) require that Toyota withdraw the ads.

Corporate Watch Australia has lodged a complaint with the ACCC against Toyota for falsely claiming in its advertisements for the Prius.

that “if everyone drove a Prius . . . then each one of us could reduce our greenhouse gasses by 1 tonne per year.”

CWA coordinator Hammy Goonan said today that “Not only does this ad fail to take into account those who would actually increase their emissions by driving a Prius – like cyclists and public transport users – but the claim is also based on misleading figures.”

“The figures used by Toyota are based on an Australian driving 25,000 km a year. However, according to the most recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics the average distance driven by a passenger vehicle in Australia was only 14,800 km a year.” Mr Goonan said.

“Toyota has an international reputation for lying to consumers about the environmental benefits of its products. The company was recently forced by the UK Advertising Standards Authority to withdraw similar advertising in the UK. But they’re still trying the same lies on Australian consumers.”