Toyota Chief Skeptical of Gas Car Bans
» Posted June 28, 2021 • Resources | Share This Post
Some governments around the world are making a big push to electrify the cars of the future, including by planning to ban new gas-powered cars in the coming decades. It turns out that not everyone is a fan of those moves.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda recently questioned Japan’s decision to ban new gas cars by 2035, Reuters reports.
"What Japan needs to do now is to expand its options for technology. I think regulations and legislations should follow after," Toyoda reportedly said in his role as leader of the Japanese automobile Manufacturers Association. "Policy that bans gasoline-powered or diesel cars from the very beginning would limit such options, and could also cause Japan to lose its strengths," he added.
That rubbed some of Toyota’s investors the wrong way, according to Reuters. Five unnamed investors who have some $500 million parked in the company told Reuters that Toyota is already falling behind in the race to go fully electric.
General Motors announced in January it will ditch gas cars by 2035, an ambitious move that some observers say could change the auto industry. Swedish automaker Volvo followed weeks later with a pledge to go electric-only by 2030.
Meanwhile, California and Massachusetts have said that both states will make like Japan and ban the sale of new gas vehicles by 2035.
Toyota Recalls Defective Cars
Toyoda’s comments come as the company continues to struggle to ensure that the cars it is putting on the road today are actually safe to drive.
The company recalled more than 260,000 Prius vehicles last year, for example, over a software error that Toyota said could cause the cars to stall unexpectedly. It also called back some 700,000 vehicles over a separate fuel pump issue said to put those cars at risk of stalling.
The good news for Toyota and other car owners in California is that you do not have to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed.
The California lemon law forces car manufacturers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also requires a manufacturer to buy back cars that the company cannot or will not fix. Although a carmaker can offer to replace the vehicle instead, it is up to the owner to accept or reject this alternative arrangement.
How a Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney Can Help
If you are a car owner or lessor who has been stuck with a lemon, an experienced Los Angeles lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help.
Our firm has represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in L.A. and across the state. We help the people we represent fight back by holding defective car manufacturers legally liable.
Our offices are conveniently located in L.A., San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law attorney today.
