Toyota prepares electric offensive
From west to east
Toyota Electric 2022
© press-inform – the press office
Years ago, Toyota set global standards for hybrids; When it comes to electric drives, the Japanese have so far been significantly more cautious than the international competition. But preparations are underway in the background for the major power surge, which should be completed by 2030.
By the end of the decade, Toyota will invest almost a third of this amount in battery production in the United States as part of its global investment package totaling 11.5 billion euros. The locally manufactured battery packs are to be equipped with future hybrid and electric cars from the group brands by 2030. In cooperation with Toyota Tsusho, a US battery production facility is being built under the leadership of Toyota North America, where production will begin in 2025. The billion-dollar investment creates 1,750 new jobs locally. “With our commitment to electrification, we strive for long-term sustainability – for the environment, for US jobs and for our customers,” said Ted Ogawa, Chief Executive Officer of Toyota Motor North America. “These investments help make them affordable Bringing electrified vehicles onto the US market that significantly reduce CO2 emissions. At the same time, we are creating even more jobs that are linked to the future of mobility. “
The new company will support the Japanese carmaker in establishing and expanding a local supply chain and contribute to the growing expertise in the production of lithium-ion batteries. In a first step, mainly hybrid batteries are to be manufactured. For the planned CO2 neutrality of the company by the year 2050, the emissions from vehicles and plants are to be reduced significantly. To date, Toyota has sold more than 18.5 million electrified vehicles worldwide. In addition to the previous hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, a fleet of fuel cell and electric vehicles is to be built in the coming years. From the currently 55 electrified models, at least 70 vehicles are to be built by 2025; including 15 electric cars. By 2030, Toyota is aiming for worldwide sales of two million locally emission-free fuel cell and electric vehicles.
But the electrical engagement is not limited to the USA alone, because the cooperation with Suzuki is being intensified significantly. If this previously only included the area of hybrid vehicles, this has now been expanded to include a joint development of electric and fuel cell vehicles. Toyota wants to focus more on the Indian mass market in particular. “Development could potentially focus on manufacturing electric vehicles in India, given the government’s announced $ 3.5 billion production-linked incentives,” said Bakar Sadik Agwan, senior automotive analyst at Global Data, “a BEV of the Entry-level class, based on Suzuki’s Wagon R, has also been sighted several times. With the government’s goal of achieving 30 percent electrification in new vehicle sales by 2030, the Indian EV segment has both production and production options Sales perspective, significant opportunities. “
Toyota and Suzuki are already working on a new premium SUV for the Indian market that will compete with models such as the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos and will be the first Suzuki product to be launched from Toyota’s Indian plant . The premium SUV, which is set to premiere in 2022, falls under the schedule originally announced by Toyota to manufacture its own version of the Suzuki Vitara Brezza. “The global alliance has spawned a number of Suzuki vehicles that have been renamed by Toyota in India and the African markets, as well as hybrid vehicles made by Toyota for Suzuki in Europe,” said Bakar Sadik Agwan. “The converted compacts gave Toyota wider market access than the previous all-SUV presence in India and contributed nearly 40 percent of total Toyota’s sales that year. “