[krn]

As a side note, from a European perspective, Japanese cars seem to be so far behind in terms of technology that the only reason to even consider them is their reliability.

For the price of Toyota RAV4 one could get either a 7-seater Škoda Kodiaq[1], or a fully electric Škoda Enyaq[2], both of which are more practical and more premium inside.

[1] https://www.carwow.co.uk/skoda/kodiaq

[2] https://www.carwow.co.uk/skoda/enyaq

[goethes_kind]

The simplicity of Japanese cars is or at least was part of their design philosophy: simple and reliable. And I really appreciate that. I know little about Skoda but branding wise I would not put it on par with Toyota.

[krn]

> I know little about Skoda but branding wise I would not put it on par with Toyota.

In many parts of Europe, Škoda is considered "the European Toyota". Because it's made by Volkswagen Group and uses the engines previously tested by its more premium brands – such as Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen.

[mcntsh]

Are Volkswagens supposed to be reliable? I had one and it was in the shop every few months. Worst car I ever owned...

[pjc50]

Toyota have been strange holdouts against electric cars for some reason; they've previously backed hydrogen which is far less practical now.

[thinkling]

Toyota's argument has been that with a limited battery supply, you get more fuel use reduction by building lots and lots of hybrids than by building a few electric cars. I'm not sure they're wrong. (Of course we do need electric cars to be in the mix to get to long term targets.)

[jointpdf]

Honda even more so—they don’t have a single PHEV or EV model available (there was the Clarity). Mazda is even worse.

Hyundai, Ford, Chevy, VW, et al seem to have an extensive lineup of electrified vehicles. Yet, they still seem very hard to come by in this market.

[krn]

> Honda even more so—they don’t have a single PHEV or EV model available (there was the Clarity).

In Europe, there is an all-electric Honda hatchback:

https://www.carwow.co.uk/honda/e

> Mazda is even worse.

And an all-electric Mazda SUV:

https://www.carwow.co.uk/mazda/mx-30

But both of these models are hardly competitive.

[chimen]

None of which are hybrids.

[krn]

Yeah, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are considered "the past" in Europe:

https://electrek.co/2021/09/20/skoda-abandoning-phevs-per-ce...