According to one of the company’s senior Australian officials, combustion engines will still be used to power Toyota’s GR lineup of high-performance vehicles in 2030.
The revelation was revealed by Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s head of sales and marketing, according to Drive.com.au. Hanley was replying to a query from the audience on the automaker’s stance on electric vehicles while fielding media questions at a Corolla Cross Hybrid launch event.
Toyota, according to Hanley, is “not averse” to electric cars but has vowed to offer a wide choice of goods to satisfy customer demand, including hybrid and fuel-cell cars. With the exception of the GR performance cars, every Toyota in our lineup will be electrified by 2030, according to Hanley.
The statement raises the possibility that Toyota may continue to produce combustion engines for the performance market for some time. Hanley’s remarks imply that the manufacturer won’t be venturing into the performance EV and hybrid markets, at least not before 2030.
It’s an assertive remark that reveals a surprising amount about Toyota’s long-term product strategy. Although eight years is a long period, it’s possible that the GR 86 and Supra models currently on the market will still be in production at that time. Another possibility is that it suggests Toyota has one more generation of ICE-powered sports vehicles in the works. It raises the issue of whether such expenditure is viable given that significant markets like the EU are considering outlawing internal combustion engines as early as 2035.
Toyota is pursuing a more methodical approach, unlike some automakers who are rushing to completely phase out combustion engines. The firm hasn’t made the same significant leap into EVs despite being a pioneer in the hybrid market. For the time being, the corporation is following a steady course, especially with regard to its performance models.
