In 2022, Toyota issued an apology basically every month for having to repeatedly adjust its production plans due to a semiconductor shortage and the spread of COVID-19. The new year begins as the previous one ended, with the Japanese automaker regretting making its customers wait longer for their new cars. The auto giant projects that 2023 will also be impacted by supply bottlenecks and the coronavirus pandemic.
The tone of the press release published today indicates that if all goes according to the original plan, Toyota will be able to assemble a total of 10.6 million units. However, the figure represents a ceiling, and the company remains realistic about its likely output for the next 12 months. Suppliers and stakeholders have been briefed on a baseline of 10 percent less volume than the ideal output for 2023.
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By January, Toyota plans to produce 700,000 cars, with 200,000 assembled domestically in the Land of the Rising Sun and another 500,000 at its overseas factories. In a few days of the month, domestic production of the Land Cruiser Prado, 4Runner and Lexus GX will be suspended. The projected global volume for 2023 has been set considering minimal fluctuations but the results will be hindered by external causes to some degree.
Unlike most automakers, Toyota has expressed reluctance to go all out with EVs. To that end, he toyed with the idea of a hydrogen-fueled combustion engine as a fuel cell companion. Head honcho Akio Toyoda recently said that eco-friendliness should extend beyond new cars because he believes existing ICEs can get a new lease on life by switching to carbon neutral propulsion. To highlight this idea, the iconic AE86 received official hydrogen and electric conversions for Tokyo Auto Salon 2023.
