TOKYO (Dow Jones)--Toyota Motor Corp. has developed a
next-generation diesel engine that meets the increasingly stringent emission standards in the U.S., Japan and Europe, the Asahi Shimbun reports.
The automaker plans to introduce the new engine for its diesel-powered carssold in Europe in the second half of 2008, the report said.
Previously Honda Motor Co. announced that it had successfully developed next-generation diesel technology that it plans to introduce in the U.S. market in 2009.
Toyota is a leader in the area of hybrid cars, but has been seen as something of a laggard in the diesel sector.
However, the carmaker is hoping that this new engine will help expand its sales of diesel-powered vehicles and give it a leg-up on the competition this area as well, the Asahi report said.
-By Tokyo Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; 813-5255-2929