- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr He
Toyota and Lexus begin active electrification of their models
On December 14, 2021, Toyota Motor held a briefing on its electric vehicle development strategies. Akio Toyoda, President of the company, has presented Toyota and Lexus grandiose plans.
The Japanese manufacturer intends to make thirty Toyota and Lexus electric models by 2030. The manufacturer wants to sell 3.5 million electric vehicles worldwide and become one of the main electric brands in the world, seizing leadership positions in Europe, North America and China.
However, Akio Toyoda, who is known for his skepticism towards electric vehicles, did not admit that he fell in love with them. His corporation will continue to work on the development of hybrids and hydrogen cars. Moreover, there will be models powered by the combustion of hydrogen in an internal combustion engine. We will have a choice, which is great.
‘The Toyota brand now offers more than 100 models of engine-only vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles in more than 170 countries and regions.’
Toyota electrification plans
Mr. Toyoda announced that the Toyota Motomachi plant is currently being prepared for the production of the ‘first herald’ bZ4X, which will begin next year. In the future, the Toyota BZ model range will get several more models based on the e-TNGA platform. Four as yet unnamed concepts were demonstrated, including a mid-size affordable and ‘people’s’ sedan, a full-size 7-seater bZ Large SUV, a compact coupe-style SUV and an urban compact SUV named bZ Small Crossover (similar to the Toyota Aygo).
Akio Toyoda literally impressed those present with the number of all-electric Toyota concepts and prototypes. For example, the company has presented a small SU EV SUV, which resembles the CH-R version. Particular attention should be paid to the GR sports model, as well as to a two-seater coupe inspired by the MR2. The Cruiser EV SUV with a 5-door body is also eye-catching. Moreover, there is a large pickup with a two-row cab, reminiscent of the US model Tacoma. The manufacturer has also shown some commercial vehicles, including a prototype bus and a van. Toyota is trying to make its cars not only carbon neutral, but also beautiful. But energy efficiency is even more important, because this is what Toyota has been perfecting for more than 30 years.
‘We are aiming for a power efficiency of 125 watt-hours per kilometer, which would be the highest in the compact SUV class’
Lexus electrification plans
At the same event, Toyota subsidiary brand Lexus International, namely its President and Chief Branding Officer Koji Sato, presented the first electric vehicle with a special battery produced by LEXUS. The model is called RZ. The video shows how Akio Toyoda and Koji conduct a test drive, enjoying an energetic ride. Serial production of new vehicle will begin in 2022, and the forerunner of the SUV was the LF-Z Electrified concept vehicle, presented at the end of March 2021.
The Lexus brand has introduced more than 30 models of engine-only vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in more than 90 countries and regions.
It is known that the Lexus RZ will share the e-TNGA platform with the Toyota bZ4X and one can hope that the SUV’s driving range will be more than 700 km. But that’s not all: other Lexus concept cars were also presented. There are three of them: a full-size SUV (no name yet, just Electrified SUV), as well as a Lexus Electrified Sedan sports sedan and a two-door Lexus Electrified Sport, which can accelerate to 100 km/h in around two seconds.
