Toyota will revive familiar names from its past as it expands its all-electric lineup, the firm’s European product boss has confirmed.
Andrea Carlucci, Toyota’s European head of product development, told journalists that the brand would abandon its BZ naming convention in favor of “existing and familiar” names from the brand’s history.
The company has already begun this process with the Urban Cruiser. The B-segment SUV that shares a platform with the Suzuki E-Vitara has resurrected a name last used in the early 2000s. Toyota has also chosen to name its new coupe-crossover C-HR+, rather than using the widely expected BZ3X badge.
Carlucci’s comments suggest future Toyota EVs will share names with petrol- or hydrogen-powered models, potentially leading to electric versions of the RAV4, Land Cruiser and even Hilux.
At Toyota’s annual Kenshiki forum, the brand showed off the Land Cruiser SE concept EV and confirmed it would have six EVs on sale in Europe by 2026. These models will focus on “enhancing customer lifestyles,” with teaser images hinting at a pickup truck and smaller SUV alongside a silhouette resembling the Land Cruiser SE.
The Land Cruiser SE suggests the iconic 4×4’s name will continue into Toyota’s electric era.
Shoppers hoping for a Yaris or Aygo EV will need to be patient. Toyota’s recent announcements center on larger SUVs and utility vehicles, with Carlucci noting that smaller EVs remain further down the roadmap — likely due to the higher profits from larger SUVs and the development costs of smaller electric models.
While Toyota executives confirmed commitment to their European EV program, they maintained a cautious multi-powertrain approach to meet varying customer and market demands worldwide.
Matt Harrison, Chief corporate officer for Europe, said that globally, there was a “widening gap between customer demand and regulation” which created “challenging but interesting” times for the auto industry.
He added that alongside its electric models, Toyota will continue developing hydrogen fuel cell and combustion technology, including launching an all-new four-cylinder petrol engine to meet regional needs as they evolve.
Carlucci confirmed Toyota’s work on solid state batteries is progressing as planned, with the first production models using the technology expected by 2028.
