Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) Friday said it has
decided to switch back to the old car air conditioner refrigerant
R134a in Europe, due to public concern about the safety of the new
refrigerant R1234yf.
At the start of this year, the European Commission stipulated
that only the new refrigerant may be used, in order to meet climate
protection targets. However, German car maker Daimler AG (DAI.XE)
has since expressed concerns over the product's safety during
accidents, as it is flammable. Daimler is since fighting against
its use.
Toyota said it conducted tests with the new refrigerant at the
end of last year and deemed it safe. Nevertheless, there are doubts
among consumers, non-profit organizations, the media and
authorities about the refrigerant's safety, Toyota's German segment
said in a statement. Due to those concerns, the car maker has
decided to take the "temporary measure" to switch back to the old
product.
Affected models include Prius Plus, Lexus GS and the GT86 sports
car. Toyota can refill these models with the previously used R134a,
because the relevant approvals to use the old refrigerant in those
models are still valid.
So far, there unfortunately isn't a clear consensus in the
European market regarding the product, Toyota said.
"Once the situation has been clarified and a consensus is
reached, we will proceed in accordance with the result," Toyota
added.
Write to Ilka Kopplin at ilka.kopplin@dowjones.com
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