Toyota's Goal To Abandon Conventional Engines By 2020 Scares the Hell Out Of Parts Suppliers

Toyota Motor Corp.'s second-biggest supplier said the carmaker's goal to almost eliminate conventional combustion engines by 2050 is a wake-up call for parts makers to transform their businesses.

Yasumori Ihara, who ran Toyota's emerging markets operations before becoming Aisin Seiki Co.'s president in June, said the automaker's objective means components makers need to prepare to supply for cars that will be predominantly hybrids or fuel-cell vehicles.

"We need to be prepared, as electrification means our engine parts and transmissions are not going to be used in cars anymore," Ihara said at this week's Tokyo auto show.

Read Article

TheSteve - 10/30/2015 10:56:03 AM

+2 Boost

There's a conflict between this thread's title "...by 2020..." and the first line of the article "...by 2050...". That's a 25 year difference, which makes all the difference in the world!

I can't fathom Toyota becoming an all-electric company within 5 years. That would be like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Sciros - 10/30/2015 12:19:56 PM

+2 Boost

No it'll be much later than 2020 of course. And this is virtually non-news. As autos evolve, so will their parts, and auto part suppliers will need to change their products. Has it ever been any different?

7msynthetic - 10/30/2015 12:44:20 PM

+1 Boost

Can't be 2020. Having said, that good on Toyota for looking wayyyy ahead.

800over - 11/2/2015 3:40:53 PM

+1 Boost

Not even the suppliers know what is going on...Toyota will eliminate gas only engines. They will still need all the same old parts as Hybrids still have a gas engine with a hybrid motor. 35 years away anyway.