Toyota has pushed back against a report that its upcoming Highlander EV has been delayed again, insisting that its timeline remains unchanged.
The clarification follows a Nikkei Asia report claiming production would slip to '2027 or later.'
Toyota's Response
A Toyota spokesperson in the US told Carscoops that nothing has changed since the company's July announcement, which targeted a launch in early 2027.
The spokesperson emphasized that the extra time is allocated for final checks and quality validation before full-scale production begins.
This aligns with Toyota's previous stance when it postponed a media preview in July, citing the need for 'final adjustments.'
The Highlander EV, unveiled in February 2026, was originally slated for production this autumn.
Nikkei Asia reported that assembly at Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky plant is now expected to start in January 2027 'at the earliest.'
Toyota has reportedly notified its supplier network about the revised schedule, but the company denies any change from its July plan.
Toyota also dismissed speculation that the delay is due to weak EV demand in the US, pointing to its own growing EV sales.
While US EV sales fell 21% year-over-year in Q2, Toyota's EV deliveries more than tripled during the same period.
The Highlander EV shares its platform with the Subaru Getaway, and both will be built on the same Georgetown line.
Subaru confirmed its own delay in July, using similar wording about allowing time for final adjustments.
Subaru has not yet announced a new production date or whether deliveries will be affected.
