Toyota rolls out major price cuts, safety recall and new EV developments

Toyota announced aggressive discounts on its Corolla Hybrid in Brazil, slashing the price by roughly R$45,000 for purchasers with disabilities, bringing the sedan close to the price of the BYD Dolphin electric hatch. The same promotion also lowered the Corolla XEi by about R$10,700.

Separately, the automaker issued a recall in Brazil for 2023‑2024 model-year Corolla, Corolla Cross, RAV4 plug‑in hybrid and GR Corolla after a software flaw in the digital instrument panel could cause memory overload and loss of display functions, posing a safety risk. Dealers will reprogram the software, or replace the panel for the RAV4 PHEV.

At its Japan Mobility Show, Toyota unveiled plans for a next‑generation Corolla built on a flexible platform that will accommodate full‑electric, plug‑in hybrid, conventional hybrid and internal‑combustion versions, reflecting the company’s sense of crisis amid rising competition from BYD and Tesla.

In parallel, Toyota hinted that its Lexus division may debut the first production vehicle with solid‑state battery technology, targeting a range of about 620 miles and a 10‑minute charge. Meanwhile, a prototype mid‑engine sports car resembling an MR2 was spotted testing at Fuji Speedway, featuring a turbocharged 2.0‑litre four‑cylinder engine reportedly delivering up to 400 PS.