Asianfin--A transition to an all-electric vehicle future could result in significant job losses for workers involved in engine-related technologies, including those employed by suppliers, Toyota Motor's chairman, Akio Toyoda, cautioned on Thursday.

"There are 5.5 million people working in Japan's automotive industry, many of whom have been focused on engine-related work for years," Toyoda said to reporters.

He expressed concern that if electric vehicles become the sole option, "those people's jobs would be lost," emphasizing his personal preference for gasoline vehicles.

As the world’s largest automaker by sales, Toyota has been more measured in its approach to electric vehicles compared to competitors. This strategy has paid off as global EV sales slow, and demand rises for its hybrid models, especially in key markets like the United States.

Toyota advocates a "multi-pathway" approach to achieving zero-carbon emissions, supporting not only EVs but also hybrids, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, and other powertrain technologies.