The number one of Toyota, Akio Toyoda had promised sensational news for today, and he definitely delivered. The Japanese house, we would say somewhat surprising given the past, has announced a detailed plan that will lead it to only sell electric cars. And it’s not just slides or cold numbers to represent that intention, but as well 16 prototypeswhich seem anything but impossible to achieve.
Let’s start with the company’s goals. In 2030, they will be total 30 BEV models (i.e. 100% electric) which will be launched worldwide, to sell 3.5 million electric cars in the same year. Also Lexus will make an important contribution, remaining the reference brand for luxury and technology, but becoming a fully electric brand in Europe, North America and China by 2030 and worldwide by 2035. Same fate as Toyota, but only since 2035.
To understand the potential of this project, started by the Toyota bZ4X, Akio Toyoda showed a showroom of the future, where hardly any market segment is missing. It goes from small bZ Small Crossoverto bZ Large SUV via bZ Compact SUV e bZ SDN (acronym for sedan). Lexus ever more elegant and with a sportier touch, like the one offered by Electrified Sports or Sports EV. However, there’s also the RZ SUV and the Electrified SUV and Sedan duo, unimaginative names but giving a good idea.
There are also practical and fun vehicles, with a Toyota brand Crossover, a 4×4 (Cruiser EV) and a electric pickup (EV pickups). Finally, there is also some inspiration for the commercial sector, with the Micro and Mid Box vehicles.
Of all these prototypes, and possibly future production vehicles, we have no details at this time, just basic indications. Toyota says it’s more interested in efficiency vehicles rather than a disproportionate autonomy, to keep cars lighter and more economical, thanks to smaller batteries. The Lexus brand will also serve as a cradle for automotive technology solid state batterieswhich would likely promote athletic performance.
But the house also wants to continue to offer diversified solutions, according to the needs of customers and local markets, which will certainly involve, for a number of years, significant sales for endothermic and hydrogen cars. Here is Toyoda’s explanation: “As for why we try to keep so many options, in terms of running the business, you would think it would be more efficient to focus on fewer choices. However, we believe it is more important to adapt quickly to the changes ahead than to try to predict the future, which is uncertain.“.
The ball now passes to the design and production department, which will have its work cut out considering the high number of launches in just nine years.