The head of Toyota for the United States believes that the brand is catching up in the electric market. According to him, the manufacturer is about to accelerate significantly.
Where does Toyota stand on electric vehicles?
When we think of “electric cars,” Toyota is not the first brand that comes to mind. And for good reason! Electric vehicles didn’t even account for 1% of the manufacturer’s total sales in 2023. The Japanese company continues to focus on hybrid engines, risking falling behind. However, with its impressive resources, Toyota could catch up faster than we think.
At least that’s what Ted Ogawa, the head of Toyota in the United States, believes. While he acknowledges that his company is “behind” compared to Tesla, he thinks it is “coming back” in the field of electric vehicles and new technologies. It is evident that the manufacturer is currently one of the major absentees in electromobility. The Toyota bZ4X is struggling to establish itself in the market.
In Europe, only 19,606 units of the 100% electric model were sold in 2023. It is barely better in the United States where only 9,329 units of the SUV were sold. The trend does not seem to be improving in 2024. However, this will change if we rely on Ted Ogawa’s statements. The manufacturer is preparing to build a factory dedicated to electric cars. Toyota plans to introduce the Giga casting method, a new manufacturing process.
2024: A Fresh Start?
In this way, the company seems convinced that it can accelerate production and catch up with competitors. Other technologies, such as automated assembly lines using robots, are expected to improve efficiency while reducing defects. The Japanese company is also banking on a new generation of batteries capable of providing up to 800 km of range.
By 2030, Toyota promises a solid battery that could allow for a 1,000 km range on a single charge. Ted Ogawa considers 2024 as the “year zero” for the company in terms of 100% electric technologies. But it will take more than just bold statements to prove it. One thing is certain, if the Japanese manufacturer wants to get back in the race, it certainly has the capabilities.