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This Is Why Toyota Isn't Rushing to Sell You an Electric Vehicle
This Is Why Toyota Isn't Rushing to Sell You an Electric Vehicle-July 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:16

Image for article titled This Is Why Toyota Isn't Rushing to Sell You an Electric Vehicle

, so you would think the automaker would be quick to embrace full electrification like some of its competitors. , and a leaked dealer document about the brand’s electrification strategy lays out exactly why.

A Toyota dealer contact sent me this PDF that was sent directly by Toyota corporate to explain to the dealer network why they should expect to see more hybrids on their lots and not so many EVs or PHEVs.

Image for article titled This Is Why Toyota Isn't Rushing to Sell You an Electric Vehicle

Essentially what Toyota is saying here is that sourcing the materials for batteries is going to dramatically increase and therefore the costs and difficulty of getting those materials will subsequently rise. The automaker’s position is that those materials can be turned into a lot more hybrids at more affordable price points versus PHEV and EV models.

Toyota also makes the point that the charging infrastructure in the U.S. right now still has a long way to go before it can handle a proliferation of full EV models on the roadways. The other hurdle for most Americans is that EVs and PHEVs can be expensive compared to their gas or hybrid counterparts. Now that the has eliminated a substantial chunk of EV/PHEV vehicles that qualify for the tax credit,

I can tell you from my own experience as a professional car shopper, I was getting a lot of requests for cars like the and when those vehicles first launched and they still qualified for the $7,500 credit. On the other hand, customer interest in standard hybrids like the is growing. I’ve recently gotten more inquiries on that new Prius than at any point in time in my career when I compare it to the previous generations of Prii. I also have clients willing to wait upwards of 9-12 months to score a Sienna because it’s a hybrid minivan, as compared to an Odyssey that can be sourced now.

Of course, Toyota still offer EV and PHEV models;is off to a slow start while the continues to be a hit. The automaker is known for a cautious approach to the market and has historically taken an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” product strategy. While the future might be electric, for the time being, it seems like the majority of car buyers want something in between.

Tom McParland is a contributing writer for Jalopnik and runs AutomatchConsulting.com. He takes the hassle out of buying or leasing a car. Got a car buying question? Send it to [email protected]

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