Toyota's Plug-In Gamble: A Shelby Company Ltd. Guide to Future Motors

The Hybrid Hustle: A Necessary Evil?

Right so Toyota they're pushing these plug in hybrid electric vehicles – PHEVs they call 'em. Fancy name for a halfway house if you ask me. Been around for a while since 2016 but now they reckon they're onto something. Seems the Yanks are getting all bothered about emissions and these PHEVs are supposed to be the answer. A 'steppingstone' to full electric they say. Like a first date before you get to the good stuff. We'll see about that. In the meantime it’s like telling my boys to use a spoon instead of a knife but the job still needs doing. By order of the Peaky Blinders it better be done right.

North American Ambitions: From 2% to 20% a Bold Play

David Christ head of Toyota over in North America reckons they'll pump up PHEV sales from a measly 2.4% to a whopping 20% by 2030. Big talk. They're blaming regulations customer acceptance and affordability. Excuses mostly. But I respect a good gamble when I see one. If I was to compare it with a horse race they are betting on the horse that does not know if it wants to gallop or walk. A risky bet but as they say 'It's when you lose everything that you know who your friends are.'

Regulatory Roulette: The California Conundrum

California eh? Always causing trouble. They want everyone driving electric by 2035. Trump might scrap that though. Makes things interesting doesn't it? Like a loaded gun under the table. Uncertainty breeds opportunity. Still like I always say “Everyone’s a whore Grace. We just sell different parts of ourselves.” And right now Toyota’s selling this PHEV compromise.

The Mileage Mirage: Chasing EV Dreams

The car is improving apparently. Now they’re getting 50 miles on electric alone. Better than a poke in the eye I suppose. But still not enough to get you from Small Heath to London. But if you get a flat tire do not worry just smile. No one cares.

Show Me the Money: The Cost of Compromise

Here’s where it gets tricky. These PHEVs cost a bloody fortune. Thousands more than regular cars. 'It's kind of like getting two cars in one,' says Cooper Ericksen. More like paying twice for something that does half the job. But if they can make it work and that’s the important part isn’t it? They say “If you can get close enough to touch you can get close enough to steal” so let’s see them get close enough to making profit.

The Hybrid Hype: A Winning Hand?

Toyota's pushing hybrids hard expecting them to make up over half their sales this year. Like having all the bases loaded in baseball they say. Ice hybrid plug in electric. A bit of everything. Me? I prefer a sure thing. But sometimes you have to play the hand you're dealt. “Lies travel faster than the truth”. So let's see if their truth can catch up.