Average new car CO2 fell by 5.5% in the first nine months of 2009 to 150.6g/km - that’s a record 8.8g/km less than a year ago.

The current rate of improvement would enable the car industry to meet the EU target of 130g/km of CO2 by 2012.

Toyota has dropped to 129.2g/km, leapfrogging both Mini and Fiat, who are hovering just above the 130g/km threshold.

“It is highly significant that a major manufacturer has met the EU target, as it means no mainstream car manufacturer has an excuse for failing to meet the target in future," said Jay Nagley, publisher of www.cleangreencars.co.uk.