Toyota had to recall 2,700 its first electric cars due to concerns that the wheels might fall off. This is a setback to the late attempt by the world’s largest automaker to launch an all-electric car.
After a manufacturer discovered a problem with the bolts connecting the chassis to the wheels, the Japanese manufacturer issued a global recall for the bZ4X sport utility vehicle. The manufacturer is currently investigating whether replacement parts are necessary.
The company stated in a statement that “no one should drive these cars until the remedy is available”
For the past two years, Toyota has been the largest carmaker in the world by sales. It is ahead of Volkswagen. It hasn’t adopted all-electric technology in the same way as its German counterpart. Instead, it plans to continue producing both orthodox fossil fuel vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine with a battery.
According to the company, hybrid vehicles will become more affordable as electric chargers are improved and more customers can buy them. This will allow for greater carbon dioxide emission reductions. The company will be able to “beyond zero” with the help of EVs and perhaps hydrogen fuel cells. This is why its first electric car was named “bz”. Toyota is under pressure to produce models for countries like the UK, which will ban new internal combustion engines after 2035. This is despite Toyota’s lobbying.
Its unique strategy makes it stand out among large carmakers. They were prompted to invest in electric car production by dieselgate and Tesla, the US carmaker owned by Elon Musk. Tesla was the first to build battery cars on a large scale.
Toyota announced in December that it would spend $35bn on developing its own electric vehicles (PS28bn). The goal is to have 30 models ready by 2030. This will allow Toyota to catch up with competitors as electric vehicle sales rise in key markets around the world.
Electric cars are simpler than internal combustion engines and will require less maintenance over their life. They are heavier due to the dense batteries.
Christian Stadler, Warwick’s professor of strategic management, stated that Toyota can be thankful that the recall has nothing to do with the electric capability of the vehicle. This would have been much more devastating, considering that the bZ4X was the first mass-produced all-electric vehicle.
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