on October 10, Akio Toyoda, chairman of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor, said that a pure electric future would lead to job losses for people working in engine-related technical jobs (including suppliers).
“Including those who have been working in engine-related jobs for a long time, there are 5.5 million people working in the automotive industry in Japan. If pure electric vehicles become the only option, many people, including our suppliers, will lose their jobs,” Toyoda told the media. In addition, Akio Toyoda added that he likes fuel vehicles.
Toyota has always been more cautious about electric vehicles than other manufacturers. With global electric vehicle sales slowing and market demand for the company’s hybrid product line rising (including in its largest market, the United States), the cautious pace of electrification is to some extent a major advantage.
Toyota supports a so-called “multi-route” strategy, including pure electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and other powertrain technologies. In January this year, Akio Toyoda said that pure electric vehicles would only have a maximum market share of 30%, while hybrid vehicles, hydrogen fuel vehicles and fuel vehicles would account for the rest. However, Akio Toyoda did not specify a timeline for this forecast.
The world’s largest automaker hit back at criticism that it was lagging in the shift to electric vehicles, saying its pioneering hybrid drivetrains, hydrogen technology and overall strategy would ultimately prove to be right for business, consumers and the environment. Earlier this year, Toyota also announced a plan to develop a new internal combustion engine.