Four sources said Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) is considering a manufacturing floor makeover as it plans a switch to a specialized battery electric car platform.
One person suggested Koji Sato may announce a new E.V. architecture at his first CEO briefing on Friday.
As of Thursday evening, the plan’s approval seemed unclear.
Another individual said the world’s largest carmaker increasingly realizes it needs to match Tesla Inc.’s (TSLA.O) design and manufacturing breakthroughs to lower production costs and transform its all-electric company into a higher margin one like its Silicon Valley competitor.
That guy stated it’s investigating.
Toyota’s extensive electric-car strategy study last year might lead to a new E.V. platform.
Toyota would catch up to global competition if it embraced battery electrics. The 2019 e-TNGA system creates electric automobiles on the same manufacturing line as gasoline and hybrid cars.
E-huge TNGA’s Giga Press casting machines and other production advances can’t match Tesla’s cost savings.
Due to confidentiality, sources declined to be named. However, Toyota said that Friday’s meeting would allow questions.
According to a third party, Sato, Toyoda’s chosen successor, recently attended an internal presentation on the need for a specialized battery-electric platform, a more competitive heat-management system, and other Tesla-inspired advancements.
According to the individual, former chief competitive officer Shigeki Terashi briefed on the E.V. strategy evaluation.
A different insider indicated some e-TNGA-enabled projects are being delayed or canceled.
Toyota needs a change, opponents argue.
Toyota’s global battery electric demand exceeded its modest forecasts under former CEO Akio Toyoda, the founder’s grandson who became chairman on April 1 when Sato took over.
“Some of Toyota’s pronouncements when Akio Toyoda was CEO made hybrids sound like they’ll be around forever. Your hedge is your mainstay. “E.V.s must be first,” said CLSA analyst Christopher Richter.
Investors and environmentalists are also pushing Toyota to act quicker.
Tesla generated roughly eight times the profit per vehicle as Toyota in the third quarter due to its ability to streamline production and lower cost.
By 2030, more than half of all vehicles will be E.V.s. Toyota must meet demand. Their first battery E.V., the bZ4X, was recalled and sold poorly.
Toyota’s absence of battery electric cars may be affecting sales in the U.S., where E.V. growth is exceeding market growth. Toyota’s first-quarter U.S. sales declined roughly 9%, while General Motors Inc (GM.Nrose )’s 18% due to fleet and commercial demand for E.V.s.
G.M. sold almost 20,000 electric vehicles in the first quarter, while Toyota and Lexus sold 1,880. Toyota/Lexus sold slightly under 119,000 electrified vehicles, largely hybrids with a few battery electric and hydrogen vehicles, down 10.7%.
In November, S&P Global Mobility found that U.S. consumers switching to electric cars mostly buy Toyota and Honda Motor Co (7267.T).
“Toyota will be leaving money on the table” if Sato doesn’t pursue electric vehicles, said Katherine Garcia, head of the Sierra Club’s Sustainable Transportation for Everyone Campaign, citing E.V. growth across U.S. states.
One person claimed Sato would emphasize “different powertrains” in his Friday briefing. He will emphasize that gasoline hybrids will remain vital to its company as it cranks up E.V.s.
Toyota’s suppliers privately worry about its delayed adoption of E.V.s.
One Toyota supplier executive who declined to be identified said some are considering growing business with other automakers to hedge their E.V. risk.
The CEO said the automaker’s approach might change that.
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