Toyota CEO: Going All-EV Could Cost Japan Millions Of Jobs

[TruckElectric]

Toyota CEO: Going All-EV Could Cost Japan Millions Of Jobs
"In achieving carbon neutrality, the enemy is carbon dioxide, not internal combustion," Akio Toyoda argues.

Sep 20, 2021 at 6:51am ET
87
By: Dan Mihalascu

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, who is also the chairman of Japan’s automaker association, is not happy with the Japanese government’s EV-centric push for carbon neutrality.
The executive said that going all-EV could cost Japan 5.5 million jobs and 8 million units of lost vehicle output by 2030. At a regular meeting of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) where he was joined by top execs from Honda, Yamaha, and Isuzu, Toyoda warned that the potentially overzealous green manufacturing goals pushed by Europe-inspired Japanese authorities are unsustainable.
The government aims to slash Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net carbon neutrality by 2050 by going all-EV. However, Toyota’s CEO believes the road map should take into account the reality that Japan’s economic lifeblood stems from manufacturing.
A sudden shift to EVs could undercut Japan’s industrial base, Toyoda argues, so he proposes a wider approach to carbon reduction instead.

"Japan is an export-reliant country. Thus, carbon neutrality is tantamount to an issue of employment for Japan. Some politicians are saying that we need to turn all cars into EVs or that the manufacturing industry is an outmoded one. But I don't think that is the case. To protect the jobs and lives of Japanese people, I think it is necessary to bring our future in line with our efforts so far.”

The executive noted that Japanese automakers produce about 10 million vehicles a year at home, about half of which are exported. He cited forecasts projecting that by 2030, domestic plants will still be making 8 million vehicles a year equipped with combustion engines, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

Once those vehicles are banned, automakers will take a big hit, Toyoda said, leaving companies with a tough decision: either send production of such vehicles overseas or end it entirely.

"This means that production of more than 8 million units would be lost, and the automotive industry could risk losing the majority of 5.5 million jobs. If they say internal combustion engines are the enemy, we would not be able to produce almost any vehicles.”

When it comes to offering solutions, Akio Toyoda argues that the path to carbon neutrality should be adapted to each country's conditions. More specifically, there should be more freedom on which technologies are used to get there, as long as the result is the same: an overall reduction in carbon emissions.

"In achieving carbon neutrality, the enemy is carbon dioxide, not internal combustion. To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, it is necessary to have practical and sustainable initiatives that are in line with different situations in various countries and regions."

Unsurprisingly, Toyoda says that hybrid vehicles still have significant contributions to make toward carbon neutrality, even though they are equipped with internal combustion engines. That’s because hybrids are more affordable than EVs and can penetrate markets where charging infrastructure is nonexistent.

In addition, technical improvements are making hybrids cleaner each year. At the same time, hybrids can be used as a bridge technology toward EVs and zero emissions, helping lessen the blow to jobs that make parts for engines and transmissions.

https://insideevs.com/news/534262/all-ev-plans-threaten-japan/

 

[Ogre]

If they don't go all EV, it is going to cost them millions of jobs.

EVs are quickly moving from being the cars which you buy because they are carbon neutral to being the cars you buy because they are simply better.

Even if he is 100% right, people aren't going to continue buying ICE cars to support the Japanese economy (or for that matter, US automakers).

After years of hearing about how big auto was going to crush Tesla when they moved over to EVs, I never figured this would be the outcome. I thought Tesla would do ok, not that the biggest car company in the world would completely fail to show up to the fight.

 

[Newton]

Is making electric cars less labor intensive than combustion cars?

I dont quite understand this argument, wont the factories just switch to making Ev's and components?

 

[JBee]

Asleep at the wheel. Without FSD.

The crazy thing is they have already been producing eletric drivetrains in the Prius for last 20 years. Even with my first Prius in 2003 I thought they are doing this to test and get experience to go full BEV. They were actually ahead of the pack at that point but dropped the ball when they failed to get their battery act together.

Shame. But they're also fleecing the Aussie market atm with daft pricing and out of date products with minimal features and spec. And their diesels have always been poor performers, so no love their either.

I don't get how he can say "internal combustion" and "isn't the CO2" problem in the same breath. Any hydrocarbon fuel combustion results in CO2 and H2O. Surely he's not considering hydrogen internal combustion instead of fuel cell?? If its not green hydrogen, it works out worse than just using petrol straight out plus uses more energy overall.

 

[JBee]

Is making electric cars less labor intensive than combustion cars?

I dont quite understand this argument, wont the factories just switch to making Ev's and components?

If done right yes.

Plus they last longer so less spares, which is ICE manufacturing life blood. ICE make more from spares and repairs than new car sales. Its one of the reasons Tesla had it so tough, because they had to make EV car sales profitable to stay in business.

 

[DarinCT]

Is making electric cars less labor intensive than combustion cars?

I dont quite understand this argument, wont the factories just switch to making Ev's and components?

Yes, very much so. Here's a list of items that will not need engineers, parts manufactures, assemblyman or repair service personnel for

• Oil pump or filters
• Fuel pump, filters or fuel injection systems
• Air intake system
• Exhaust system
• Belts of any kind
• Air filters (outside of a/c)
• Muffler
• Gudgeon pins
• Chains
• Alternator
• Clutch
• Multi-speed transmission
• Conrods
• Balance shafts
• Spark plugs
• Valve springs
• Pressure regulators
• Ignition leads
• Main bearings
• Piston rings
• Coils

source: https://www.greencarfuture.com/electric/tesla-number-moving-parts

Each person has their own support ratio as well. Remove 100 workers, might remove, 1 IT, 2 HR, 3, 5 managers, and 1 director and so on.

 

[DarinCT]

Toyota CEO: Going All-EV Could Cost Japan Millions Of Jobs
"In achieving carbon neutrality, the enemy is carbon dioxide, not internal combustion," Akio Toyoda argues.

Sep 20, 2021 at 6:51am ET
87
By: Dan Mihalascu

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, who is also the chairman of Japan’s automaker association, is not happy with the Japanese government’s EV-centric push for carbon neutrality.
The executive said that going all-EV could cost Japan 5.5 million jobs and 8 million units of lost vehicle output by 2030. At a regular meeting of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) where he was joined by top execs from Honda, Yamaha, and Isuzu, Toyoda warned that the potentially overzealous green manufacturing goals pushed by Europe-inspired Japanese authorities are unsustainable.
The government aims to slash Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and reach net carbon neutrality by 2050 by going all-EV. However, Toyota’s CEO believes the road map should take into account the reality that Japan’s economic lifeblood stems from manufacturing.
A sudden shift to EVs could undercut Japan’s industrial base, Toyoda argues, so he proposes a wider approach to carbon reduction instead.

The executive noted that Japanese automakers produce about 10 million vehicles a year at home, about half of which are exported. He cited forecasts projecting that by 2030, domestic plants will still be making 8 million vehicles a year equipped with combustion engines, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

Once those vehicles are banned, automakers will take a big hit, Toyoda said, leaving companies with a tough decision: either send production of such vehicles overseas or end it entirely.


When it comes to offering solutions, Akio Toyoda argues that the path to carbon neutrality should be adapted to each country's conditions. More specifically, there should be more freedom on which technologies are used to get there, as long as the result is the same: an overall reduction in carbon emissions.


Unsurprisingly, Toyoda says that hybrid vehicles still have significant contributions to make toward carbon neutrality, even though they are equipped with internal combustion engines. That’s because hybrids are more affordable than EVs and can penetrate markets where charging infrastructure is nonexistent.

In addition, technical improvements are making hybrids cleaner each year. At the same time, hybrids can be used as a bridge technology toward EVs and zero emissions, helping lessen the blow to jobs that make parts for engines and transmissions.

https://insideevs.com/news/534262/all-ev-plans-threaten-japan/

I don't know which rant of Sandy Munro's it was, but he called out Toyota as the biggest lobbyist to stop EV progress. It's not surprising that the legacy feet dragging is global. They are being told to lower their topline revenue, incur significant capital and operational expenses, and the future is mandated.

 

[firsttruck]

Yes, very much so. Here's a list of items that will not need engineers, parts manufactures, assemblyman or repair service personnel for

• Oil pump or filters
• Fuel pump, filters or fuel injection systems
• Air intake system
• Exhaust system
• Belts of any kind
• Air filters (outside of a/c)
• Muffler
• Gudgeon pins
• Chains
• Alternator
• Clutch
• Multi-speed transmission
• Conrods
• Balance shafts
• Spark plugs
• Valve springs
• Pressure regulators
• Ignition leads
• Main bearings
• Piston rings
• Coils

source: https://www.greencarfuture.com/electric/tesla-number-moving-parts

.....

Also need on list

• Expensive catalytic converter than gets stolen for it's precious metals ( platinum, palladium, rhodium).

• more than a dozen sensors in air intake system, exhaust system, other places to reduce air pollution.

-------------------------------


Catalytic converter theft is up 450% - why is it so common?
Car owners urged to protect their vehicles as catalytic converter thefts soar, with criminals stealing parts off cars parked on residential streets...
by Claire Evans
26 Apr 2021
https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/catalytic-converter-theft-why-is-it-so-common/n20384

Zurich Insurance has seen a 450% increase in claims for catalytic converters in the past two years, with the average repair bill for customers around £1200. It states that 78% of theft claims were for Honda, Lexus and Toyota hybrid vehicles.

.....
However, hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Auris and Prius, are popular with thieves because they have two power sources, an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine, so their catalytic converters are used less frequently to process pollutants. That means the metals inside them are less likely to have corroded, making them more valuable – and therefore more attractive to thieves.

 

[madquadbiker]

Yes, very much so. Here's a list of items that will not need engineers, parts manufactures, assemblyman or repair service personnel for

• Oil pump or filters
• Fuel pump, filters or fuel injection systems
• Air intake system
• Exhaust system
• Belts of any kind
• Air filters (outside of a/c)
• Muffler
• Gudgeon pins
• Chains
• Alternator
• Clutch
• Multi-speed transmission
• Conrods
• Balance shafts
• Spark plugs
• Valve springs
• Pressure regulators
• Ignition leads
• Main bearings
• Piston rings
• Coils

source: https://www.greencarfuture.com/electric/tesla-number-moving-parts

Each person has their own support ratio as well. Remove 100 workers, might remove, 1 IT, 2 HR, 3, 5 managers, and 1 director and so on.

I’ve always thought half the car for twice the price.

 

[John K]

Cigarettes are healthy, prolong life and are conversation ice breakers. Ultimate wingman/woman.

ICE will be alive and thrive in other countries. To keep costs lower, lower wealth countries receive product without the smog reducing tech in the states. I would give a greater benefit of the doubt if Toyota was not doing the same now.

 

[Crissa]

Surely he's not considering hydrogen internal combustion instead of fuel cell?? If its not green hydrogen, it works out worse than just using petrol straight out plus uses more energy overall.

https://www.motor1.com/news/504287/toyota-corolla-hydrogen-combustion-engine/

Yes, yes they are.

-Crissa

 

[Cyberman]

Will do anything to avoid what is inevitable, going all BEV. Thereby, slowing progress on battery technology, like the junkie who gets loaded just before a job interview (just not interested). "I vant to be alone, don't bothering me. We making hybrid car now, hydrogen ICE cars later. BEV just too compricated. Besides, we can't figure out how to make them leak oil" ?

 

[ricinro]

Typical fear mongering. It is the same thing here in the US. Disruptive tech is going to take your jobs away.

 

[Sirfun]

Typical fear mongering. It is the same thing here in the US. Disruptive tech is going to take your jobs away.

Manipulating minds at its finest!