In Brussels, Belgium, Toyota Motor Europe has relaunched its annual Kenshiki Forum event, aimed at sharing the manufacturer's vision, innovations, and future strategies. Among its plans, the Japanese manufacturer announced that it would do away with overly complicated names and return to clearer names that are closer to the classic range.
First example: Toyota presented the C-HR+, an all-new model that takes the idea of the best-selling C-HR, but increases its dimensions and integrates a 100% electric rather than hybrid powertrain. There is no question of returning to names like "bZ4X", "bX3" and other "bZ3X". Instead, names "existing or familiar Toyota names", brand officials said.
"This approach will be broadened as all future electric vehicles will, of course, become an integral part of our Toyota range," said Andrea Carlucci, director of marketing and product development at Toyota Motor Europe, and quoted by InsideEVs, present at the event. In addition to the C-HR+, we should soon see the arrival of an Urban Cruiser, a small electric crossover made for the city, as its name suggests.
“It is no longer a type of vehicle part»
Interestingly, bZ4X chief engineer Masaya Uchiyama commented on this news to InsideEVs, explaining the story behind the name of the brand's all-electric SUV launching in 2022. Behind «bZ», we still find the mention of «beyond Zero», in reference to the zero-emission goal. The number 4 refers to the C/D segment and the X to the stature of an SUV. The man stated:
"We chose the name 'bZ4X' because it was new. Today, electric vehicles are gaining popularity, they have become more mainstream vehicles. They were more aimed at innovators and early adopters back then. But today, they are aimed at the majority of young people. We think it's time to give them a common, familiar name, because this type of vehicle is no longer a separate vehicle."
Now we'll see what will come of this new strategy in terms of products and electric shares at Toyota. For a long time, the manufacturer, which made a name for itself by developing hybrids fifteen years ago, chose a multi-track approach, so as not to put all its eggs in one basket, especially when it came to electric vehicles. Hybrid and electric models with similar names should strengthen the brand's position in this strategy.
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