No, Toyota Will Not Stop Selling Diesel Vehicles in 2019

Reports that Toyota would stop selling all diesel vehicles in 2019 were misleading. The company planned to eliminate diesel engines from its passenger-car range, but not from every model it offered.

Passenger cars shift toward hybrid power

Toyota’s strategy focused on self-charging hybrid systems that combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine. This technology was already available in models including the Yaris, RAV4, Auris, Prius and C-HR, with the Corolla set to replace the Auris.

As diesel continued to lose market share to gasoline and hybrid vehicles, Toyota confirmed that its passenger cars would move away from diesel power beginning in 2019.

Diesel remains important for utility vehicles

Toyota’s commercial and utility models—including the Land Cruiser, Hilux and Proace—would continue to use diesel engines. These heavier vehicles are designed to carry substantial loads or operate on difficult terrain, making diesel engines well suited to their intended roles.

Diesel engines provide strong low-speed torque, which is especially useful when a vehicle is heavily loaded or driving off-road. Achieving similar performance with a gasoline engine could require greater displacement and fuel consumption, potentially resulting in higher emissions.

In short, Toyota was withdrawing diesel engines from its passenger cars rather than abandoning diesel vehicles altogether.