Akio Toyoda: ‘Carbon is our enemy, not the internal combustion engine'

The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers’ Association or JAMA has outlined its automotive sector’s priorities which includes taking appropriate actions for growth, employment and wealth distribution and creating a carbon-neutral society, among other things.

After the industry body officially approved a new executive structure at its Board of Directors meeting held virtually, its chairman, Akio Toyoda said, “We believe that knowing the facts on the ground is the key to accelerating JAMA initiatives. With that in mind, we established a support team with young members from each company who are working together across corporate lines with the guiding principle of Genchi, Genbutsu, Genjitsu (Seeing the facts for yourself).

Outlining the leadership’s new priority areas, Toyoda said the priorities also include tax reform, CASE and the expansion of the auto sector’s supporters. He told JAMA members that the industry body is “making our utmost efforts to address supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic, chip shortages, and natural disasters. We are also faced with the tragic, intolerable reality of the invasion of Ukraine, which has made the global economy’s outlook increasingly uncertain with soaring energy and commodity prices.

“Our greatest challenge is creating a carbon-neutral society. Carbon neutrality pushes us to fundamentally change the way we live and to transform the automotive industry, as we have sustained these lifestyles through mobility,” he said.

Toyoda went on to say that, "Carbon is our enemy, not the internal combustion engine. We must reduce CO2 emissions in all processes of producing, transporting, and using energy. There must be more than one route to reach carbon neutrality. Regulations should not limit our choice of technologies.”

According to the chairman, these priorities have been backed up with various trial projects, sharing “what we have learned at every turn”. These efforts have helped spread the message, and more like-minded partners have joined our cause, he reiterated.

Tokyo Motor show to be revamped
Toyoda also said that carbon neutrality is also a chance for Japan’s automotive industry to hone its CASE technology. He then said that in an attempt to assimilate these lessons, JAMA plans to name the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show the Japan All-Industry Show. “We hope to bring many people together at our event by looking beyond mobility and collaborating with all industries across Japan, including startups. Please look forward to a completely new show, revamped in both name and substance.”

In conclusion, he said that the strength of Japan’s auto industry stems from automakers offering a full line up of mobility, from passenger cars to commercial vehicles, mini-vehicles, and motorcycles. “We will leverage this strength to serve as a pacemaker in carbon neutrality and “growth and distribution.”