Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A global coalition of environmental, labor, and sustainable mobility organizations today sent an open letter to incoming Toyota Motor Corporation CEO Kenta Kon, who is set to assume Toyota’s top spot on Wednesday. The coalition is urging immediate action to address the company’s lagging electric vehicle strategy, climate impact, and supply chain practices.
The letter, led by Public Citizen, addresses Toyota’s leadership transition as a pivotal moment for the company. The coalition points to growing expectations from consumers, investors, and policymakers for automakers to move faster on electrification and to ensure their operations align with climate and human rights standards.
The letter states: “You have a crucial choice to make. You can choose to cling to the outdated technologies of the past, leading Toyota towards irrelevance as the industry accelerates rapidly towards electric vehicles. Or you can forge a new path, marshalling Toyota’s resources to become a leader in innovative, affordable electric vehicles with equitable, sustainable supply chains.”
The coalition calls on Toyota to accelerate the phaseout of internal combustion engines worldwide, expand access to affordable electric vehicles across all markets where it operates, end lobbying efforts that delay climate progress, and commit to fossil-free supply chains that protect workers and communities at every stage of production. The groups argue that these steps are essential not only to meet global climate goals, but to maintain competitiveness as the industry undergoes rapid transformation.
“With new leadership, Toyota has a chance to hit the brakes on climate obstruction,” said Adam Zuckerman, senior clean vehicles campaigner with Public Citizen’s Climate Program. “If Toyota Chairman and habitual backseat driver Akio Toyoda truly allows Kon to take the wheel, it can accelerate into an innovative, clean energy future.”
"Brazil has a longstanding history with Toyota, dating back to 1958, making it their first production facility outside of Japan and the launchpad for their international expansion. Brazil is also one of Toyota's largest markets in the world - but still Brazilian consumers cannot buy a single Toyota electric vehicle, even though they sell their EVs in many other markets, including affordable ones starting at just US$ 15,000 in China.” said Diogo Seixas, President of ABRAVEI, “Meanwhile, the Brazilian drivers - that welcome innovation and efficiency - have made the Chinese EVs our best-sellers now. Toyota's new CEO faces an immediate choice: keep treating Brazil as a dumping ground for outdated combustion and hybrid technologies and thus keep losing relevancy, or finally deliver the affordable EVs our consumers already want.”
“Toyota was an early pioneer on environmental automobiles with its world-renowned Prius, but has since lost its way. Toyota can regain its status as a leader by accelerating its shift to fossil-free transport and that must include the steel its cars are made with. There's nothing green about car bodies forged with coal. By demanding near-zero emission steel Toyota can revitalise its green credentials, future proof production, and remain competitive with its Korean and Chinese competitors,” said Roger Smith, Asia Lead at SteelWatch. “Steelmakers still using coal-based production methods will be servicing shrinking markets far sooner than they think.”
“Toyota stands at a critical crossroads right now as Kon takes the helm as CEO: Will the world’s biggest automaker truly lead on electric vehicles or keep pushing out polluting cars with combustion engines that harm our climate and health?” said Katherine García, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director. “Toyota has an opportunity to transform itself into a company with a truly innovative strategy by committing to urgently deliver affordable EVs at scale. We hope to see it do just that under its new leadership.”
“Mexico is central to Toyota’s production footprint and represents a powerful opportunity to lead in the electric transition, especially in a country where air pollution causes around 33,000 premature deaths each year. (Global Burden of Disease). By expanding access to affordable electric vehicles in Mexico, Toyota can align its industrial strength with a forward-looking climate vision, helping ensure that the communities driving its success also benefit from a cleaner, healthier future.” said Daniela Castilla, Director of Projects at Movilizatorio.
The letter comes as competition in the global EV market intensifies and pressure grows on automakers to align with climate goals and evolving consumer demand. The coalition says Toyota’s next steps will determine whether it keeps pace or falls further behind.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.