Toyota plans to deploy its in-house developed gigacasting technology at a new $2 billion Lexus electric-vehicle plant in Shanghai. [2, 3, 4] The plant is slated to begin production in 2027. The technology aims to boost manufacturing efficiency and help reverse declining sales in China, where Toyota’s sales fell 19% in the first eight months of the year. [3, 6]
Toyota is also lobbying EU regulators to modify upcoming automotive rules. [11] It wants vehicles that run exclusively on certain renewable fuels to qualify as zero-emission. [20] Toyota is also advocating for a 90% CO₂ reduction target for new vehicles by 2035, rather than the mandated 100%, to accommodate this technology. [11, 18]