Episode Details

The episode highlights an extraordinary demand for Toyota's hybrid vehicles, with waiting times reaching up to nine months in some markets. This situation is attributed to a tripled increase in demand over the last five years, putting pressure on suppliers of essential components like magnets and inverters. Consequently, material shortages and production delays are occurring globally, as many components are initially manufactured in Japan. Toyota is considering new suppliers and local production to address these bottlenecks, recognizing that consumer preference is shifting toward hybrids. The difficulty in obtaining these vehicles demonstrates the current strong market interest in Toyota's hybrid technology, surpassing production capacity.