Featured Toyota sees the electric light

toyota copying tesla? that's going to make a few toyota fanboys here very unhappy.

let the doctors begin their spin!

 

Toyota engineers so the light a bit ago:

https://insideevs.com/news/655087/toyota-engineers-after-tesla-model-y-teardown-work-of-art/

 

it takes a long time to turn a big ship with a small rudder

 

Toyota states that they will accelerate their transition plans, moving to a clean-sheet design sooner than originally planned. The media spins that as if Toyota is abruptly dropping their current offering, portraying an "abandon ship" scenario.

Reality is, the current platform works fine but will struggle to be competitive sooner than anticipated, since it is more expensive to produce and less efficient overall. It is still selling though. The example sighted on a regular basis is Norway, where in March there were 1,076 bZ4X purchased.

What really matters is what happens during the next few years. Each of the legacy automakers will face quality & realibity challenges. Now being a bZ4X owner, I can point out how Toyota isn't as far behind overall as the narrative portrays.

 

Who?

Toyota already has plans in place for their next-gen traction-motor and new batteries. Focusing on a platform that can be produced faster for less is a logical step.

What unhappiness is there? Seeking greater profit from that... like Tesla... isn't a bad thing.

 

Unhappy fanboys? Say it ain't so?

 

A clean sheet design requires them to give up all the current profitability they have with their parts makers and factories... Them saying they're gonna accelerate their transition plans kinda sounds like the only one legged person in a foot race claiming they're gonna catch up with the other runners.

 

Toyota says it will invest extra $2.5 billion in North Carolina plant (cnbc.com)

"Automotive giant Toyota said Wednesday it would invest an extra $2.5 billion in a U.S. facility that will manufacture batteries for both hybrid electric and battery electric vehicles.

Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina is set to start operations in 2025, with the firm stating that total investment in the plant will now amount to $3.8 billion."


Toyota Will Assemble New EVs in Kentucky, Starting With an Electric SUV: Report (thedrive.com)

"A new electric RAV4 may be on the horizon, with a new home for assembly and rebate-friendly batteries to power it."

Toyota defends title as world's top-selling automaker in 2022 | Reuters

"Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) sold 10.5 million vehicles in 2022, it said on Monday, defending its title as the world's top-selling automaker for a third straight year."

2023 Toyota BZ 'Corolla' electric car spied in China - Drive

"Toyota is believed to be working on a new small electric car with China's BYD – and prototypes have hit the road, with concept car-inspired styling."

Toyota plans solid-state battery by 2025, but it won't be for an EV - CNET

 

For perspective: Automakers electric vehicle investment plans

 

only one fanboy left to show up and defend toyota

 

I test drove a bZ4x the other day. Absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, not enough range for our needs. We're likely going with a Rav4 Prime. But the bZ4x is an awesome 1st step. Hoping they get their act together on this "clean slate" they're starting with.

 

Are you the fanboy to which you're referring to? If not, who is this fanboy of which you speak? Not seeing them? Maybe I have them on ignore?

 

3/24/2023

Toyota is in talks with LG Energy Solution for a potential partnership - TechGoing

"Toyota is in talks with LG New Energy about a potential partnership, LG New Energy CEO Kwon Eung-soo revealed after a shareholder meeting on Friday local time, saying that talks between the two companies about a potential partnership, including a possible joint venture, are well underway.

Although Kwon did not reveal more details, Toyota is in talks with battery-focused LG New Energy about a potential partnership, apparently in the area of electric vehicle batteries, with LG New Energy supplying batteries to Toyota or the two companies forming a joint venture to manufacture batteries and then supplying them to Toyota for use in the electric vehicles they produce."

 

THAT deserves its own thread . . . in the Tesla sub-category of course. Don't want to hurt any detractors feelings.

.

 

Lol... Toyota betting on yet another for sure winner!

Here's a chart of LG stock value over the past 20 years:



source: LG Display Co (LPL) - 6 Price Charts 2004-2023 (History)

 

I test drove a bZ4X yesterday and really liked it. A very good offering, I just think that most buyers for that car size and price category aren't giving Toyota a chance...probably because of their anti-EV position over the years.

Why did I do this?
4 days ago my 2012 Prius plugin had the catalytic converter stolen. Dealer says they have 60 people on the waiting list and it will take 6 months to be fixed. I didn't want/need another long range EV (I have a Tesa M3). So I bought a Chevy Bolt EV today. My local dealer said 6-8 weeks to order a Bolt, but I was able to find one 50 miles away ($30K instead of $50K for the Toyota) I was really waiting for the so-called Tesla Model 2 to replace the PIP.
Anyway, if the range of the bZ4X is OK for someone then it is a great car and has a very familiar Toyota feel to it for a primary car.

Mike

 

Toyota also will have the benefit not just of their own expertise but examples like Tesla, KIA/Hyundai, Rivian and others who are and have improved electric vehicle cost efficiency-electrical efficiency of components and expanded the customer base for electric vehicles. Not to mention the current monetary allure of the EV market segment.

 

Every automaker copies best practises, reverse engineers, and benchmarks competitors'vehicles. Those that don't have gone the way of the dodo.