by Akio Toyoda admits he feels ‘very lonely’ in his love for internal combustion engines
Although many automakers have delayed or canceled the development of certain electric vehicles, often at the cost of billions of dollars, the general consensus in the industry is that electric cars are the future. The question is no longer whether it will happen, but only when. However, Toyota will desperately cling to internal combustion engines for as long as possible.
Unlike most of its competitors, Toyota is working on a full range of powertrains, including fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) and even hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines. The company’s commitment to ICE largely stems from its chairman, Akio Toyoda, who is undoubtedly one of the last true car enthusiasts leading a major automaker.
The loneliest man in the boardroom
During a recent conversation with CarWow, Toyoda was asked what his biggest fear regarding the future of the car is. His response was brief and sharp, showing how much he despises electric vehicles.
“Everyone is moving to BEVs (battery electric vehicles), that’s my biggest fear,” he said. “Three or four years ago, I was the only one telling the media that I love the smell, I love the sound, and I love engines, and I want to preserve jobs for engine suppliers. But I feel like I’m the only one. I feel very lonely.”
Toyoda also hinted at ongoing debates within Toyota itself regarding the pace of electric vehicle adoption, noting that car enthusiasts in the company continue to push for alternatives to a fully electric future.
Giving hope to car enthusiasts
Ultimately, Toyota understands that moving forward, they will have to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles, including electric cars. If it were solely up to Toyoda, there would be no market for electric cars.
“The car is my toy,” he added. “I want to create cars that I would want to keep in my garage. If I have to make only carbon-neutral cars, it’s not interesting.”
He also said that focusing exclusively on profitability would be equally uninspiring, asserting that creating cars should be about more than just achieving strong financial results.
The transition to more efficient sports cars is already happening at Toyota. According to recent reports, the next generation GR Yaris will transform into a powerful hybrid, likely combining a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine currently under development with a small battery and electric motor, which could deliver up to 394 hp.
A future without electrons: GR GT, MR2, and Celica
For those who hate electrons as much as Toyoda does, there will still be plenty of options in the future. The most obvious is the new Toyota GR GT with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 without any electrification, but there are also plans for more affordable sports cars, such as the next MR2 and the revived Celica.
Akio Toyoda’s stance is unique in the modern automotive industry, where most executives are focused on electric vehicles. His frankness about his love for internal combustion engines and fear of a fully electric future resonates with many enthusiasts who value the sound, smell, and character of traditional motors. At the same time, Toyota balances these sentiments with the need to meet environmental requirements, leading to the development of hybrid sports cars, such as the new GR Yaris. Thus, the company tries to preserve the soul of sports cars while gradually integrating new technologies, which could become a compromise path for those who are not ready to completely abandon ICE but recognize the need for change.
