Although most electric models have backlogs for months or years ahead, a Toyota USA official says there is no demand

Toyota is once again denying electric cars in the US, making statements that contradict the current market situation and make no sense. The Japanese manufacturer had already built a reputation as an outright skeptic of electric cars, often casting them in a bleak outlook, and previously raising legitimate questions about their actual impact on the planet. However, last fall, in an unexpected move, Toyota announced a flurry of 30 new Toyota and Lexus-badged electric models ready for the coming years.

The first of these was the Toyota bZ4X, and shortly after sales began, a major problem was discovered with the wheel hub fasteners, which are designed incorrectly and can loosen over time and the wheels can fall off. The paradox is that the problem seems deep and impossible to solve with a service visit, and the Toyota has stated that they have not yet found the solution, recommending that the owners do not drive their cars and offering them other Toyota models during the repair period or even offering to buy them back from them. Against the background of these problems, sales of the bZ4X have been stopped, and other new models in the list of 30 have not been released for now.

In light of this failure, Toyota US Vice President of Sales Jack Hollis spoke to US auto journalists and told them that there is not enough demand for electric cars in the US. He said that the market is still not ready for electric cars, as well as the charging infrastructure. He said it took Toyota 25 years to popularize hybrids, and he doesn't see the same trend for electric cars.

The market situation totally contradicts him, however. Most electric models have huge waiting timeframes, with demand far greater than capacity to produce them. Tesla, the largest manufacturer of electric cars, sells huge electric vehicles in huge numbers, and production has been increasing continuously, despite rising prices. Even Toyota's electric model had queues until the recall was initiated, so, in this context, to say that there is no demand is at least bizarre. It is certain that the statement of the Toyota official in the US has again put the Japanese manufacturer in a bad image, as it seems to completely deny the reality of the market.