Toyota Boss Questions Having EV-Only Lineup — ‘Silent Majority’ Has Doubts?

Akio Toyoda says he is part of the "silent majority."

Toyota boss, Akio Toyoda, expresses questions about having an all-electric or EV-only lineup.

The big boss of the automaker further says that the "silent majority" still has doubts.

Toyota Outsells Ford For The First Time In The U.S.
SANTA ROSA, CA - AUGUST 2: New Toyota cars are parked on the lot at Freeman Toyota August 2, 2006 in Santa Rosa, California. Toyota slipped past Ford Motor Company in July sales to become the second-biggest auto seller in the U.S. behind leader General Motors. Toyota sold 241,826 vehicles, 487 more than Ford, which sold 241,339. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Toyota Boss Questions Having EV-Only Lineup

Even as other giant automakers are going all out on electric vehicles, the Toyota president is questioning such a strategy.

As per the recent report by The Washington Post, the Toyota Motor president, Aiko Toyoda, admits that he still has doubts about going full-on electric for a car lineup.

The big boss of the renowned carmaker says that he is part of what he says is the "silent majority" in the auto industry.

He further claims that the silent majority are still questioning pursuing an EV-exclusive car offering.

It is worth noting that newer players like Elon Musk's Tesla have been offering all-electric cars only. There are no other options, such as gas-powered and hybrid plug-ins.

When Toyoda was in Thailand, he spoke with some reporters, disclosing that most folks in the auto industry are still doubting such a strategy.

'Silent Majority' Still Has Doubts on EV Exclusive Lineup Strategy

The Toyota president told reporters that "people involved in the auto industry are largely a silent majority."

Toyota Boss Questions Having EV-Only Lineup
Toyota president Akio Toyoda gestures at a briefing on EV (electric vehicle) battery strategies at the companys showroom in Tokyo on December 14, 2021. by BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images

The exec went on to spill that the "silent majority is wondering whether EVs are really OK to have as a single option." So he claims that some of the folks in the massive car industry are still having some doubts about an all-EV lineup.

The Toyota boss explained why these people are thinking twice to speak up. He added that "they think [it is] the trend so they [cannot] speak out loudly." And as such, Toyoda says that they have become the "silent majority."

According to a story by Car and Driver, some automakers have announced that they are going fully electric in the next few years. The brands that have decided to do so include giants like Honda and General Motors.

Not to mention that startups like Rivian and Canoo have already started going fully electric in their lineups.

For now, Rivian only offers two models, the RT1 electric pickup truck and the RTS all-electric SUV. That said, the auto startup did not include any fuel-powered vehicles.

Soon enough, giant players in the industry are also going that path. But for Toyota, it seems that it is sticking with a more diversified lineup regardless of the ongoing trend.

Toyoda offers that "we [should not] limit ourselves to just one option because the right answer is still unclear."

Teejay Boris
Tech Times
ⓒ 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics