Toyota accuses competitor of selling fake hybrid cars to deceive users

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In recent years, more and more new models equipped with 48V mild hybrid systems have appeared on dealerships. However, Toyota believes that calling these cars “hybrids” is incorrect. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s sales and marketing director, has publicly criticized competitors for labeling their 48V mild hybrid technology as “hybrid.” He believes this can confuse customers.

Toyota accuses competitors of selling fake hybrid cars to deceive users.

As we know, traditional parallel or series hybrid systems combine batteries and electric motors with internal combustion engines to increase fuel efficiency. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) use larger batteries and more powerful electric motors, allowing them to run purely on electricity for short periods of time. 48V technology alone plays a very small role in the vehicle's powertrain.

48V mild hybrid technology typically combines the functions of an electric starter motor and generator, resulting in modest fuel economy improvements. Even Toyota’s own 48V system doesn’t allow the car to run solely on electricity, which is why the company wants to clarify the difference between the two technologies.

Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia's director of sales and marketing, has publicly criticised rivals for labelling cars equipped with 48V mild hybrid technology as "hybrid".

Toyota doesn’t even consider its 48V system to be a hybrid, marketing it as the “V Active” in Australia, Mr Hanley said, and he believes other brands should stop using the term “hybrid” so loosely.

“ I’ve seen hybrid technology used in a lot of different ways in marketing over the last few years ,” Hanley told Australia’s Drive . “ Good luck to them, but Toyota will be clear which hybrid systems are for fuel efficiency, which are for performance, and which are for 48V assistance .”

“ In our view, the 48V assist system does not represent a true hybrid system. I think it is the responsibility of car manufacturers to help customers understand this difference ,” Mr. Hanley added.

Toyota doesn't even consider the 48V system to be a hybrid, marketing it as the “V Active” in the Australian market, according to Mr Hanley.

Mr Hanley also stressed when talking about Toyota models: “I want to be clear that when you buy a Toyota equipped with a 48V support system like the Hilux and Land Cruiser Prado, you do not own a hybrid vehicle. They are not hybrid vehicles at all, so we want to clearly separate these three different technologies.”

However, it would be nice if Toyota kept a consistent stance globally. While it avoids the word “hybrid” in Australia, it’s a different story in Europe. The 48V mild hybrid version of the Toyota Hilux is marketed directly as the Hilux Hybrid 48V in the European market. This shows how a company’s marketing language can change depending on the target audience.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/toyota-cao-buoc-doi-thu-ban-oto-hybrid-gia-cay-danh-lua-nguoi-dung-post2149058893.html