After being on the receiving end of criticism for its reluctance to enter the electric vehicle (EV) field in favor of steadfastly manufacturing internal combustion engine vehicles and various hybrids, Toyota is finally set to enter the fray, with the Japanese automotive manufacturer set to show off its next generation EVs at the Japan Mobility Show in October.
Toyota’s former CEO Akio Toyoda parted with the company in January, with many speculating that he had done so amid his inability to successfully transition the company’s manufacturing emphasis to EVs. Now his successor, Koji Sato – while still emphasizing the importance of gas-powered vehicles in the company’s lineup – as promised a new dedicated EV platform by 2026, a year in which Sato claimed that Toyota will sell 1.5 million of them.
On Wednesday, Toyota announced they will be showing off concept models of their next-gen EV at the end of October at the Japan Mobility Show, formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show.
A teaser image put out by Toyota depicted a vehicle that was described as looking like a “streamlined Prius,” a vehicle from the company’s hybrid gas/electric line. More details will be revealed in October.
Experts are noting that Toyota’s new EV line desperately needs to succeed, especially given how far ahead the competition currently is in manufacturing and selling EVs sue to Japan’s ongoing reluctance in embracing the technology. However, this attitude appears to be slowly turning around, with Toyota pledging 1 trillion yen ($7.44 billion) to EV development through the end of the 2020’s.
According to reports, Toyota wants to add several new EV models in the Toyota and Lexus lineups – based on existing models and tech – by 2026; at that point in time, a new dedicated EV platform will take over and will become the centerpiece of the lineup going forward.
Christopher Boyle is an investigative journalist, videographer, reporter and writer for SEARCHEN NETWORKS® as well as other independent news and media organizations in the United States. Christopher works on a wide variety of topics and fields, has been featured in print and online in a variety of publications, from local to national, and helps keep a keen-eye on what’s happening in the automotive world for Auto Buyers Market.