Toyota Needs to Step Up!

That's a funny article. The vehicles may be producing less emissions at the consumer end yet the life span and initial production causes more pollution at end of life and initial production. Until hybrids and EVs are more reliable, longer lifespans, battery life increases, and consumer turnover changes they are not a very good alternative to ICE. The latter especially in western keeping up with the jones' culture is a big one. Especially now with DI, DOD, and other fuel economy measures that are now seeing full size trucks getting 30 mpgs ICE really has made leaps and bounds in ways of economy, efficiency, and emissions outputs.

 

They have the UX300 coming out that's all electric.

 

EV production is still in it's infancy. Maybe a toddler. This needs to be addressed better by Tesla and others but until then we have to break a few more eggs to make that omelet. Now I'm hungry.

 

Tesla is the wost of them all for tonnes of CO2 vs similar production ICE sedan at production. The biggest issue is the mining of LI for the batts and production of batts. Tesla their batteries, solar charge controllers, and solar panels in the housing and building are some of the least efficient systems on the market. They are going based off marketing hype and namesake. Tesla is a lot of hype and not a lot of action.

Large scale full electric yes it's in it's infancy as far as production vehicles goes it's over 100 yrs old. They were building electric powered buggies back turn of the 20th century. So is the electric motor and driving technology it's really old. It's just adapting it to larger scale modes of transportation that's the problem.

Locomotives have had the correct way of doing a hybrid for decades and the US is far behind on using small diesels. Diesel fuel is the most efficient fuel for creating energy for an ICE engine.

 

I have a Tri Motor CyberTruck on order (who doesn't?) for delivery maybe end of 2021....But... I'm kinda digging the Hybrid idea the more time I spend with one (RAV 4). Then, the Hybrid F-150 pops in the scene....the thing with hybrids is bang for your battery dollar. My RAV 4 only has about 1.1kw usable, but it can make a reasonably noticeable improvement in mpgs, especially I noticed, around town.

The F-150 looks interesting. Only about 1.6kw usable in the battery but the 3.5 hybrid engine could be your 7.x kw generator for your camper.

 

Yes ... and then some ... All of the things we know Toyota for as a manufacturer (just in time, Kaizen) are all baked into the cake, so to speak, and have been perfected over many decades. Now, Toyota is reaping the benefits of those manufacturing systems and processes, of course, but also from its innovation and management of people. They are now the perfect blend of hard tooling .. and now soft skills. This article talks about some of it. Fascinating stuff:

https://hbr.org/2008/06/the-contradictions-that-drive-toyotas-success

I agree with you 100% ! They do actually have less versions and packages than any of the other truck companies. I went with my buddy as he upgraded his F150 -- he needs a bigger truck to pull a boat and a camper. The amount of variations on the F150 is truly mind boggling.

Of course, all of those variations introduce risk ... and the entire Toyota Way is to reduce risk. Doesn't always work but more often than not it pays off.

Sorry to go on and on ... I love the discussion. And, in my defense, it is relevant to the original topic!

 

For Toyota, the manufacturing process now takes a back seat to business strategy. They could do all that but what is to be gained from it? In the context of the Tacoma, I think they would say, no need to disrupt our process and our strategy ... I am not sure that I blame them.

Overall, I would rather be Toyota than Ford. And I say that even though I like Ford. They are a great American company. And I really want them to do well. Yes, I do have my eye on the Bronco.

 

I agree with you but that is where their margin is coming from. .

Believe me, I tried to buy an SR5 and ended up in a TRD OR !

 

To be fair, I think they are working on their strategy:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34896309/toyota-electric-cars-plans-revealed/

 

Me too. Toyota could buy both Ford and GM and have money left over to buy Subaru lol.

 

To clarify, I have not advocated that Toyota can't do custom orders because they are focused on scaling. I am saying that Toyota is producing Tacomas at scale and the choose not to do custom orders for a number of reasons -- it is not their culture, they don't see the margin in it, they don't need to, they don't want to disrupt their process, they prefer to stay focus on their core business, they figure that is part of their value proposition (build a great truck and let the after market handle the rest), etc. Also, they have decided it is best not to disrupt their process from a financial perspective. There are other reasons as well.

Also in terms of scale, Toyota is actually significantly larger than Ford. For example, using data from 2018, Toyota produced 10.5 million vehicles while Ford produced 5.7 million.

In any case, great conversation ... and appreciate your thoughts.

 

Or just buy Tesla and fix their production problems.

 

Energy is neither created or destroyed: First Law of Thermodynamics

The word efficient can be a bit nebulous;

Does your calculus include the entire cost of getting those dead organisms from the ground to the fuel nozzle at the Diesel pump at Love's?

 

I think they are ending the Land Cruiser ... I believe that has been reported.

 

Yeah,Yeah, I know YOU get it....I'm still trying to convince that other guy ;-)

 

Still a fun discussion overall ...

 

The Toyota 2021 RAV4 Prime. It’s a hybrid that can go on electrical only. My opinion it’s more advanced than Tesla and more practical.

But I admire Tesla too.

Here’s a Tesla vs RAV4 Prime:
https://youtu.be/8kDQvycMpmg

And Toyota has the hydrogen fuel cell car sold in Hawaii only called the Mirai. Interesting technology.

 

Nothing is free...

 

Another advantage to the Rav4 is that it's not ugly like the Tesla.

 

NOW you tell me! I thought they would only have whatever tires that came stock on their vehicles at a dealership. I will say this, the GY Kevlar tires that came on my OR HAVE done well in the sand and hardpacked dirt. I do slide around a little more than I am used to with them, but they are not horrible. Just not my first, second, or even fifth choice!