Idemitsu and Toyota Announce Beginning of Cooperation toward Mass Production of All-Solid-State Batteries for BEVs
Idemitsu Kosan Co.,Ltd. (Idemitsu) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announced today that they have entered into an agreement to work together in developing mass production technology of solid electrolytes, improving productivity and establishment a supply chain, to achieve the mass production of all-solid-state batteries for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Through this collaboration, the two companies, which lead the world* in the fields including material development relating to all-solid-state batteries, seek to ensure the successful commercialization of all-solid-state batteries in 2027-28―as announced at the Toyota Technical Workshop in June 2023―followed by full-scale mass production.
Combination of Idemitsu’s social implementation of energy one step ahead and materials and Toyota’s multi-pathway approach is promoting BEV development, which is a vital option in the move towards carbon neutrality. As for next-generation batteries which support an evolution of BEVs, Idemitsu has been working on research & development on elemental technologies for all-solid-state batteries since 2001, while Toyota started in 2006.
This collaboration focuses on sulfide solid electrolytes, which are seen as a promising material to achieve high capacity and output for BEVs. Sulfide solid electrolytes are characterized by softness and adhesiveness to other materials, which is suitable for battery mass production.
To prepare for full-scale mass production, both companies have established a task force consisting of dozens of members and will proceed the collaboration as follows: https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/39865919.html
TOYOTA will be exhibiting at the JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW 2023, to be held from Thursday, October 26 to Sunday, November 5(1), with a booth themed “Let’s Change the Future of Cars―Find Your Future.”
At the TOYOTA booth, visitors can enjoy stage performances throughout the entire area, which include music and dance. Another feature is the chance to experience life in the mobility society of the future through attractions that can be enjoyable by all, such as a chance to customize mobility vehicles and racing games with fully hand-operated controls.
The vehicle exhibits will embody Toyota’s “Mobility for All” spirit, including the new model of the Century and the Crown series―displayed alongside the machines that will evolve into the one-of-a-kind cherished cars of tomorrow. A photo spot with Toyota’s lunar buggy and various other surprises scattered throughout will provide take-home mementos of the future experience. TOYOTA’s booth will offer a taste of the future mobility society that we are creating together.
Main interactive content
CAPSULE BAR
The rear of a vehicle will be custom outfitted as a Capsule Bar, where visitors can answer simple questions to receive a toy gift: a capsule containing one of nine different miniature cars and fun secret items.
NEO Steer(2) Driving Experience
Toyota is developing new technologies that enable drivers to control vehicles without gas or brake pedals, including in a standing position or from a wheelchair. These new driving experiences will be available to visitors through the realistic driving simulator “Gran Turismo 7” (software for PlayStation 5/PlayStation 4)(3).
Details on specific exhibit vehicles will be released in upcoming announcements. Come see, experience, and enjoy the mobility society of the future.
(1) Held at Tokyo Big Sight (Koto-ku, Tokyo) October 25-26: press, October 26-27: special invitation, etc. October 28-November 5: general public (2) Official name: New Era Operating Steering (3) “Gran Turismo” and “PlayStation” are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
A major survey of Britains motorists has revealed Toyota as the countrys most reliable volume car brand. The 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey ranked Toyota second with an overall score of 97.4 per cent, close behind its sister luxury brand Lexus.
The result is a repeat of Toyotas success last year and once again it was RAV4 that proved the top performer, dominating the surveys large SUV category with a 98.7 per cent score. Among the nations small cars, the Yaris hatchback proved is strength with the previous generation model achieving 99.3 per cent, just ahead of the current version on 98.6 per cent, securing them second and third place in their category.
Claire Evans, What Car? Consumer Editor, commented: Toyota builds extremely robust cars, and offers rock-solid reliability across its model range. The current and previous generation Yaris are affordable and theyre also two of the most dependable small cars you can buy, giving buyers who are on a tight budget highly dependable options.
What Car? produced the data from the real-world experiences of almost 22,000 drivers of cars up to five years old. Respondents reported on how many and what kind of problems theyd had with their vehicle, how long these took to put right and the cost of repairs. The results covered 32 different brands and 178 individual models.
Toyotas leading performance reflected the surveys finding that hybrid electric powertrains like those featured in almost all Toyota models are the most reliable.
Quality, durability and reliability are key elements in every Toyota, providing the foundation for the companys unmatched warranty offer of up to 10 years/100,000 miles for all its vehicles.
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) and Woven by Toyota, Inc. (Woven by Toyota) announced today that, to accelerate the implementation of software in social systems and vehicles, they intend to strengthen their relationship by making Woven by Toyota a wholly owned Toyota subsidiary.
Toward realizing a mobility-based society in which everyone can move freely, happily, and comfortably, Toyota is transforming itself into a mobility company. Going forward, it intends to transition into the phase of accelerating vehicle intelligence and software implementation in building a social system platform in which mobility becomes a part of the social system.
Upon entering a period of transition from software development to software implementation, Toyota and Woven by Toyota have been restructuring the Toyota Group, including Denso Corporation (Denso), as described below:
In April of this year, Woven Planet Holdings, Inc. changed its name to Woven by Toyota, Inc. and underwent a corporate reorganization. This is a result of the coinciding of Toyota’s desire to realize software implementation in vehicles at an early stage and Woven by Toyota’s belief that development that is in step with customers’ needs is necessary for accelerating software implementation in society. As such, Woven by Toyota was reorganized, and it was decided that software development by Woven by Toyota would take the form of being outsourced from Toyota.
In addition, a review of the software development structure in the Toyota Group was announced this month. As a result, the three companies of Toyota, Woven by Toyota, and Denso will strengthen collaborative efforts and are restructuring their organizations and human resources across all three companies to enhance the value of mobility through a software-centered approach.
Following the change to a system in which all software development at Woven by Toyota is outsourced to Toyota, Toyota will hold all common shares of Woven by Toyota, making Woven by Toyota a wholly owned subsidiary. By doing so, Toyota will be able to speedily implement the software into social systems and vehicles and quickly deliver to customers the joy, comfort, and convenience of mobility through the fusion of software and hardware.
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) unveiled a new Century model and will begin accepting orders today. The new model plans to be launched during 2023 while the Century sedan will still be available.
Century (PHEV, E-Four Advanced) (Model with options shown)
A new chauffeur-driven vehicle(1) to meet the demands of a new age, developed under the concept of “The Chauffeur.” Fully embracing the ideas of inheritance and evolution associated with the Century, the new shape combines elegance, comfort, and functionality.
– A bold design with an elegant and graceful silhouette that incorporates Japanese aesthetic elements. – Based on a concept of human-centeredness, the interior space is designed to provide an even more safe and comfortable travel experience for rear-seat passengers as well as the driver. – The newly developed plug-in hybrid system, which inherits the quietness of the Century and delivers both environmental performance and a powerful, exhilarating ride befitting the future of chauffeur-driven vehicles.
The Century debuted in 1967 as Toyota’s premium chauffeur-driven car. Until then, the Japanese chauffeur car market had been dominated by Western luxury brands. Aiming for a breakthrough, Toyota set out to create a completely new luxury Japanese vehicle that could stand its ground on the world stage. The first-generation Century was built with the best technology Japan had to offer at the time. It was based on the concept of a dignified design incorporating traditional Japanese aesthetics combined with a human-centered approach to achieve outstanding quietness and comfort. For more than five decades, the Century has served as Japan’s chauffeur car of choice, embodying an unrivaled spirit of omotenashi, or hospitality, that ensures its important passengers reach their destinations in comfort.
Over that time, the development team has deliberated extensively on a future direction for the Century to ensure that customers experience a level of hospitality exceeding their expectations. In recent years, chauffeur-driven car needs have diversified as passengers seek to utilize their time on the road more effectively by getting rest inside the cabin or participating in online meetings. It was these circumstances that brought the team around to the idea of introducing a new model.
Under the concept of “The Chauffeur,” the new model has evolved into a chauffeur car that will continue to meet customer expectations in the years to come while pursuing the essence and inheriting the dignity, quietness, and ride comfort befitting a Century.
The new model of the Century will be fully customizable on a global basis by listening to the needs of each individual customer. The aim is to deliver “freedom in motion―the ultimate freedom of movement” to even more people.
(1) A chauffeur-driven car, chauffeur vehicle, or chauffeur car is a high-end passenger vehicle used primarily for chauffeur services, whereby a dedicated driver transports the owner of the vehicle or other passengers who sit in the rear.
For more information, visit https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/39708909.html.
