4 ms·

> It is not the first, nor the last, time that we see how a powerful CEO is replaced prematurely due to his bad relationship with the electric car. > > An alre

> It is not the first, nor the last, time that we see how a powerful CEO is replaced prematurely due to his bad relationship with the electric car. > > An already unstoppable trend that some are reluctant to accept, and that has cost the great executives of Ford, and Volkswagen, and now it has been the turn of Toyota. Wasn't it just the other way round at Volkswagen? Herbert Diess steered the heavy ship Volkswagen extremely aggressive towards electrification like no other company of of this size with clearly visible results. He was ousted due to major issues (delays, staffing, quality) with the software department (CARIAD) that is building a completely new software stack to be used for new cars of all Volkswagen brands and replaced with an e-fuel loving petrolhead, the former Porsche CEO Oliver Blume.

_hypx 4y ago
Yes, and it's likely that VW will shift away from their all-EV strategy. They are already investing in fuel cell trucks and e-fuels. In reality, EVs are just one step in a long chain of future changes in the transportation industry. People are too obsessed with the next step and forgetting about the steps afterwards.
seanmcdirmid 4y ago
It seems like all the car companies are weak in software except Tesla, which is more of a software company that happens to also do hardware (cars). Not sure how Oliver Blume was an improvement. They are just going with what they know vs. what they need.
danans 4y ago
Yeah, I don't see how it's like post-electrification VW. Pre-electrification, yes VW had the blinders on, and acted, well, criminally. I hope VW pivoted in time to survive this transition. Minus the software issues, the ID.4 is an awesome EV - incredibly well built and premium feeling and drives absolutely great. The ID.Buzz is like a dream car for me. As for Toyota, the sheer amount of FUD and deception they have engaged in around EVs, topped off by the preposterous claim that hybrids are superior because they are "self-charging, has left me with little sympathy for them. However, they are still a massive force in the automotive world, and a great number of people trust them to make affordable and reliable cars, and more affordable EV options are what the world needs, not another monster electric SUV. Toyota has the manufacturing heft to deliver that, and to the extent that they do, I hope they stick around.

_hypx 4y ago

Yes, and it's likely that VW will shift away from their all-EV strategy. They are already investing in fuel cell trucks and e-fuels. In reality, EVs are just one step in a long chain of future changes in the transportation industry. People are too obsessed with the next step and forgetting about the steps afterwards.

seanmcdirmid 4y ago

It seems like all the car companies are weak in software except Tesla, which is more of a software company that happens to also do hardware (cars). Not sure how Oliver Blume was an improvement. They are just going with what they know vs. what they need.

danans 4y ago

Yeah, I don't see how it's like post-electrification VW. Pre-electrification, yes VW had the blinders on, and acted, well, criminally. I hope VW pivoted in time to survive this transition. Minus the software issues, the ID.4 is an awesome EV - incredibly well built and premium feeling and drives absolutely great. The ID.Buzz is like a dream car for me. As for Toyota, the sheer amount of FUD and deception they have engaged in around EVs, topped off by the preposterous claim that hybrids are superior because they are "self-charging, has left me with little sympathy for them. However, they are still a massive force in the automotive world, and a great number of people trust them to make affordable and reliable cars, and more affordable EV options are what the world needs, not another monster electric SUV. Toyota has the manufacturing heft to deliver that, and to the extent that they do, I hope they stick around.