While most global car manufacturers are accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda continues to publicly advocate for internal combustion engines. He admitted that he feels "very lonely" in his support for traditional powertrains.
According to Toyoda, his main concern is that the automotive industry is increasingly focusing solely on battery technologies. The head of Toyota believes that the future market should remain diverse and include hybrids, ICE vehicles, hydrogen technologies, and electric vehicles.
This position directly influences the company's strategy. Toyota continues to invest in the development of new internal combustion engines, which will primarily be used in hybrid models. At the same time, the concern is working on engines capable of using alternative fuels, including hydrogen and synthetic fuel.
Toyoda's statement is noteworthy against the backdrop of market trends. Despite the rapid growth in electric vehicle sales, demand for hybrids continues to increase in many countries. This segment remains one of the most profitable for Toyota today and allows the company to maintain its status as the world's largest automaker by sales volume.
In fact, the head of Toyota made it clear that the company does not intend to abandon its multi-vector strategy. While competitors are betting exclusively on batteries, the Japanese concern continues to develop several technologies simultaneously, expecting that consumers themselves will determine which transport will be most in demand in the coming years.