Maine dealer blasts Toyota for EV delays and climate lobbying in open letter

CDG News Alert (1 min. read)

Author

Anna del Villar
June 05, 2025

Adam Lee

Driving the news: A Toyota dealer in Maine has penned a public letter calling out Toyota for lagging on EVs and supporting climate change deniers.

For context: Adam Lee, Chairman of Lee Auto Malls, says he's been a longtime Toyota champion who helped make his dealership Maine's largest hybrid seller after embracing the Prius in 2001. But he's frustrated that Toyota sold just 1.2% fully electric vehicles in 2024 compared to the national average of 9.1%, while other automakers have moved ahead on electrification, reports Electrek.

Why it matters: Lee's criticism goes beyond just slow EV adoption. He writes that Toyota has become "the top auto industry financier of climate deniers," funding 207 congressional campaigns over three electoral cycles. The company also donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration after skipping Biden's, and was ranked third worst globally for anti-climate lobbying behind only Chevron and Exxon.

What we're watching: Toyota recently endorsed a bill from former car dealer turned Senator Bernie Moreno that would weaken environmental and fuel efficiency standards. Lee argues this could "cost drivers tens of billions of dollars and could kill tens of thousands of Americans every year." Despite his criticism, Lee says he still loves Toyota's reliable, affordable vehicles—he just wants the company to "get back to being the green car company" he's proud to support and "give me more EVs to sell."

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