Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda admitted that his main fear is the all-electric future of the automotive industry. He said he feels “very alone” in his commitment to combustion engines as the rest of the industry races toward electric vehicles.
“Three or four years ago, I was the one telling the press: I love the smell, I love the sound, I love the engines, and I want to save jobs for the engine parts suppliers,” Toyoda said. “But I think I’m the only one here.” I feel very lonely.”
According to him, there is ongoing debate within Toyota about the pace of the transition to electric traction, and automotive enthusiasts at the company are advocating alternatives to full electrification. Toyoda emphasized that if the decision depended only on him, the market for electric vehicles simply would not exist.
“The car is my toy,” he added. — I want to make cars that I myself would like to leave in my garage. If I only have to make carbon-neutral cars, that’s no fun.”
At the same time, Toyota is already moving towards more efficient sports models. It is reported that the new generation GR Yaris will be a powerful hybrid, and the new GR GT will receive a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 without any electrification. There are also plans to revive the MR2 and Celica.
