Toyota North America says it is reckoning on increasing sales on the Continent by 100,000 this year as the brand continues its impressive performance.
Addressing delegates at this year’s Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) in Detroit, at which just-auto’s automotive analysis platform, QUBE, was a sponsor, Toyota CEO, North America region, Jim Lentz, highlighted the growth of the Japanese brand.
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“We estimate 2014 sales will increase by around 100,000 vehicles to 2.3m,” he said. “The prognosis for Toyota and the industry is very positive in 2014 – automakers are delivering better, safer cars with better miles per gallon.
“What does this good economic news mean for the auto industry? Somewhere between 16.2m and 16.4m vehicles forecast. We believe interest rates will stay relatively low for most Americans – we do have a very positive outlook on the auto industry for 2014 and beyond – we will have a ‘big mo.'”
The North America CEO also emphasised Toyota’s commitment to meeting future mobility needs through hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell technology that could see a 300 mile range.
That push is being aided by the active cooperation of some American States that are backing infrastructure development to drive consumer confidence in emerging and alternative powertrain solutions.
Lentz cited California’s public-private initiative in encouraging the construction of hydrogen fuel stations, as well as the signature by eight US Governors of an MOU to to put 3.3m zero emission vehicles on their roads by 2025.
“Customers want environmentally advanced vehicles,” said Lentz. “Between 2015 and 2025, regulations will require automakers to significantly reduce emissions and significantly improve fuel economy.
“It won’t be easy, but at Toyota, our target is not to meet but exceed these standards. Environmental leadership will benefit all of us.”
The Toyota chief also highlighted the importance of not only maintaining relationships with its traditional suppliers, but also with companies such as Microsoft and telematics and pod connectivity experts.
“We are not pretend [ing] to have all the answers,” he said. “It is a different way of looking at suppliers. It is developing technologies beyond our own expertise.”
