It seems vehicle design processes are ongoing. Apart from the various options in colour, design, and car brands such as Toyota, Lexus, Honda, etc, that are available, vehicle features and performance also play an important part in the sales process. These outward features are attractive, but design changes under the hood are noteworthy.
Vehicle manufacturers across the globe have started to expand on the traditional combustion engine system, which we have all come to know in a car. Some of these changes also have an impact on air pollution reduction.
Trying to fuel the vehicles of the future
Toyota is one of those companies that is on this same path. The Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer has been in business for the past 87 years.
With headquarters based in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. Vehicle sales span the globe and range from about 10 million per year. They are the largest car manufacturer in the world. As of September 2023, their production figures stood at 300 million vehicles.
Toyota became the leader in the development of more fuel-efficient vehicles. Specifically, the hybrid electric vehicle. In 1997, the original Toyota Prius was introduced to the world.
After taking that first step, Toyota now sells over 40 hybrid vehicle models all around the world. Apart from Toyota, vehicles are also produced under the brands Hino, Lexus, and Daihatsu.
A car designed for everyone’s liking
It seems that an effective sales technique in the vehicle manufacturing industry is to offer a wider variety of options to a potential client base.
As Toyota is already seen as the King of hybrids with the Prius, they aim to cover more ground with the lineup of new vehicles that they aim to offer, such as hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and electric vehicles (EVs).
At the moment, between Lexus and Toyota, 32 “electrified” vehicles are available in the US alone. Sales of electrified Toyota vehicles averaged 112,608 for the first quarter. That is about 50% of the sales. The goal is to increase the overall demand for plug-in hybrid vehicles in America.
Vice President of Toyota Motor North America noted the company’s plans to “grow our PHEV volume through the lineup over the next few years.”
Some technological advances in the Toyota brand
At the moment, Toyota is trying to increase the number of miles that can be driven on the EV-only range on the PHEV.
The recently introduced RAV4 PHEV update has a 50-mile EV range, an upgrade from the 42-mile range of its predecessor. Toyota plans to use its PHEVs as a stepping stone to 100% electric vehicles. It is important to note that there are some drawbacks involved here.
PHEVs are a combination of a standard gas-powered vehicle and an electric vehicle (EV). These vehicles operate with both technologies. This can be a costly exercise.
The price tag on these plug-in models from Toyota is thousands more than the cost is for the gas-powered or hybrid cars. on the RAV4 PHEV 2025 model, which can be almost $15,000 more than the standard gas model.
With the increases in the PHEV volumes, there are also plans underway to launch a couple of new EVs in the United States. Plans are also underway for seven EVs to be available at dealerships across the country by mid-2027. This includes those that feature under the Lexus car brand. A further EV version of the Lexus ES sedan will also be launched. It seems long-term plans have been set to build cars that can be bought either as hybrid only or full-electric.
With this in mind, Lexus is soon launching the ES, the new luxury saloon. It will be available in a 330-mile electric as well as a hybrid. Whilst planning is continuing for the dual-powertrain cars, there are also pure battery cars up for launch.
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