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www.automobil.co.za
June 2023
neWS
oyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recently
hosted a special visit from Hiroki Nakajima,
Executive Vice President for Toyota Motor
Corporation (TMC), in which a new Global and
Regional Policy was announced.
Accompanying Nakajima to deliver the mes-
sage was Toshimitsu Imai, CEO of TMC Africa Re-
gion and Executive Vice President of the Toyota
Tsusho Corporation (TTC), and Shinichiro Otsuka,
Chief Operating Officer for TTC Africa Region, who
shared how the direction would work in Africa. Fi-
nally, Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of TSAM,
elaborated on how the company would adapt to
and embrace the direction going forward.
electrification, Intelligence
and diversification
“The Mobility Society vision was developed to
enhance the value of the car, expand freedom of
mobility, and provide new services and energy
solutions as part of the Toyota Mobility Concept.
We remain firmly committed to our multi-path-
way approach and will continue to tailor electri-
fication to the needs of customers and individual
regions by drawing on the strengths and charac-
teristics of each vehicle type,” said Nakajima.
In practical terms, the first pillar of the Toyo-
ta mobility concept is a commitment to achieve
carbon neutrality (CN) globally by 2050, with key
milestones along the way being a 33% reduction
of CO2 emissions by 2030 and 50% by 2035. TMC
is accelerating Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) ex-
pansion worldwide, aiming for 10 new models by
2026, which would amount to 1.5 million vehicle
sales per year.
For Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs),
by increasing battery efficiency to extend the EV-
mode driving range beyond 200 km, the compa-
ny will reposition PHEVs as the practical BEV. For
Hybrids (HEVs), Toyota will continue to improve
its product offering with a focus on quality and
affordable prices, by accounting for local energy
conditions and customer ease of use. Toyota will
pursue mass production of commercial vehicles
powered by hydrogen and has added the explo-
ration of carbon-neutral fuels as a sixth element
to its multi-pathway approach.
Pillar two of the Toyota Mobility Concept is
the new generation of Intelligent cars that will
evolve with advanced safety technology, multi-
media, and feature updates. An onboard operat-
ing system for next-generation BEVs will enable
users to customise driving feel according to their
preferences.
Next is the public rollout of intelligent services
that connect cars to cities and infrastructure. For
example, logistics systems that use real-time
traffic information to boost transport efficiency,
and systems that provide optimal energy man-
agement. Then there is the role of intelligence in
society. The Woven City, which Toyota positions
as a mobility test course, will serve as a living lab-
oratory for trialling various ways of connecting
people, cars, and society.
The third pillar is Diversification. Toyota will
not only diversify its services into connected
technology, parts/accessories, and business col-
laborations with new partners, but also explore
new types of energy. Toyota has already begun
work in Japan and Thailand on using hydrogen
made from water, disposed foods and other
waste, as well as carbon-neutral fuels made from
biomass and other resources.
Carbon neutrality in Africa
In response to such diverse needs and reduc-
ing CO2 reduction in Africa, Toyota is preparing
all options, including HEV, PHEV, BEV and FCEV,
under the policy of “leaving no one behind” to
tackle Carbon Neutrality with a multi- pathway
approach.
Especially in Africa, the energy and electrici-
ty situation of each country must be considered.
Even in South Africa, the main energy source is
still fossil fuels, and the electricity supply is not
stable, therefore, BEVs are not a practical solu-
tion yet. Also, in Africa, vehicles act as a lifeline
where there is limited infrastructure.
In such an environment, Toyota believes HEVs
are the most practical solution for carbon neu-
trality in Africa. They don’t take electricity from
the grid, they can reduce CO2 emissions by 40%,
make use of existing petrol stations, and are
more affordable than BEVs.
To that end, TSAM will promote HEVs by in-
troducing competitive products in both Toyota
and Lexus stables. From a local production point
of view, TSAM will expand production volume
of Corolla Cross Hybrid derivatives. New Energy
Vehicles (NEVs) currently make up 3% of TSAM
sales in South Africa, and the goal is to increase
this to 22 000 units (10%) by 2025 and 54 000
units (20%) by 2030. Such measures will ensure
a CO2 reduction in line with TMC’s global carbon
neutral initiatives.
Toyota mobility concept detailed