60 years in Canada: Toyota digs into its roots, leading into the future.
Feb 14, 2024
TORONTO, Ontario (February 14, 2024) – On the cusp of the Canadian International Auto Show, Larry Hutchinson, President and CEO, Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI), addressed a room of industry stakeholders while celebrating the Canadian debut of two vehicles.
With 2024 marking Toyota’s 60th year in Canada, Hutchinson spoke to Toyota’s leadership and the foundation that will continue to lead the company into the next 60 years.
“We’ve built a strong foundation here in Canada which supports the achievements we made last year. 60 years in Canada has taught us how to successfully meet the driving needs of every Canadian…by putting customers first,” said Larry Hutchinson.
“Our commitment to delivering high quality, affordable, and environmentally responsible vehicles underpins everything we do now, and this commitment will continue to lead us into the next 60 years and beyond.”
Hutchinson also addressed the recently finalized mandate to regulate the sales of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) in Canada. Hutchinson reiterated Toyota’s alignment with the regulation’s overarching goal to reduce emissions from transportation, and Toyota’s commitment and leadership in electrification.
TCI saw record electrified vehicle sales of nearly 100,000 units in 2023, meaning 43.9% of TCI’s vehicle sales were electrified, up 92.8% year over year. Amongst those electrified vehicles, over 16,000 units were zero-emission vehicles.
Hutchinson also emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach from all stakeholders, including government, if this regulation is to succeed. This includes battery supply chains, additional clean energy generation and distribution, and charging infrastructure that ensures the right to plug in - including at home.
“And no one can forget the most important factor in all of this: The consumer. I can promise we certainly won’t. Our objective continues to be, achieving our global net-zero carbon commitment by offering a diverse selection of carbon-reducing electrified vehicles to meet the needs of every Canadian driver,” added Hutchinson.
Toyota’s success in Canada started with three vehicles: Publica, Crown and Land Cruiser. With this in mind, Toyota Canada marked it’s 60th year with the Canadian Premieres of two legendary vehicles: the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser and the all-new 2025 Crown Signia. These are back, better than ever, and lowering emissions while remaining true to their heritage of quality, reliability and durability.
“We’ll continue to stay true to our DNA…continue to lead the industry in safety, electrification, and customer satisfaction. And our products will continue to be our biggest proof points,” stated Hutchinson.
Click here to read the full speaking notes.
About Toyota Canada Inc.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over six million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability to the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax, and parts distribution centres in Clarington and Vancouver. Toyota also operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than 10 million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid, as well as Lexus NX 250, NX 350 and NX 350h hybrid. The company has sold more than 24 million electrified vehicles worldwide and is the number one seller of electrified vehicles in Canada.