A new group of Japanese automakers and universities will research greater engine efficiency.
With combined funding of ¥1bn ($10m) to March 2015, the new Research Association of Automotive Internal Combustion Engines (AICE) aims to achieve a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency for petrol and diesel engines by 2020.
In an effort to compete with European developments, eight auto manufacturers which include Toyota and Honda, have joined with higher education institutions to run the research, allowing them to save resources and costs.
According to Honda's Keiji Ohstu, the newly-appointed head of AICE, the Association will concentrate on studying exhaust gas treatment from diesel engines. In particular, the focus will be on catalysts that help cut toxic emissions of smog-causing nitrogen oxide and ways of reducing soot. They also hope to boost the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engines.
Meanwhile Honda is reported to be driving the programme to develop a new ILSAC GF-6 compliant 'ultra-thin' engine oil which is also aimed at improving fuel economy.