Toyota to merge electric and petrol model lines

7NEWS

2 days ago

Instead of having separate internal combustion engine (ICE) and EV models, Toyota and Lexus will shift to offering hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric drivetrain options on a wider range of vehicles.
Right now Toyota has a bunch of overlapping ICE and EV models, each around the same size, but featuring unique bodies and interiors to match their drivetrain type.
For example, the all-electric bZ4X, and the hybrid and plug-in hybrid RAV4 are between 4.6 and 4.7 metres in length. There's also significant overlap between the C-HR+ and Corolla Cross; and Lexus RZ and RX.
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Andrea Carlucci, head of marketing and planning for Toyota Europe, admitted to Autoblog the current strategy 'causes a complexity challenge'.
Not only do the extra models cause confusion in showrooms, but it also makes it harder for the automaker to adapt to fluctuating demand for ICE and EV drivetrains.
'We should simplify the number of silhouettes, with multiple powertrains. We are trying to navigate our way through it. We need to find a platform that's good for PHEV and HEV and EV,' Ms Carlucci continued.
The template for this change was laid out with the eighth-generation Lexus ES, which Ms Carlucci describes as 'the right balance for a multi-energy car'.
Unveiled at the Shanghai motor show last month, the new ES will be offered in Australia, the US, China, Europe and other markets with the choice of petrol and all-electric drivetrains.
The two hybrids on offer are the entry-level 148kW ES300h, which has a 2.0-litre hybrid system, and the 182kW ES350h with a 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain. The EV range starts with the 165kW ES350e, and is crowned by 252kW all-wheel drive ES500e.
The new ES is based on an updated version of Toyota's TNGA-K platform, which underpins cars like the RAV4, Camry, and Kluger, as well as the Lexus NX, RX and LM.
It's unclear which models from the Toyota and Lexus families will benefit from the new approach, but Ms Carlucci was happy to point out the GR family and the LandCruiser won't go down this route.
'I don't think simplification for its own sake is good,' Ms Carlucci said. 'We won't simplify away the GR models. GR isn't just profit, it's intangible value to Toyota. And we won't stop the LandCruiser.'