Toyota CEO: “Elon Musk Will Crap His Pants When He Sees This NEW Motor!”

Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, has ignited a firestorm of speculation with a bold claim from CEO Koji Sato, who reportedly stated that the company’s revolutionary new ammonia-powered engine will leave Tesla CEO Elon Musk reeling. Unveiled in concept form at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Show, the ammonia engine promises a zero-carbon alternative to battery electric vehicles (EVs), challenging the dominance of Tesla’s all-electric lineup. While Sato’s provocative comment—widely circulated through YouTube videos and social media—has drawn attention, it also raises questions about Toyota’s strategy in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape. This article explores the details of Toyota’s ammonia engine, its potential to disrupt the EV industry, and the feasibility of its challenge to Tesla’s market leadership.

The Ammonia Engine: A Radical Departure

Toyota’s new engine is a 2.0-liter internal combustion engine (ICE) designed to run on ammonia, a compound traditionally used in fertilizers and industrial refrigeration. Unlike conventional gasoline or diesel engines, the ammonia engine produces no carbon dioxide emissions, as its combustion results primarily in nitrogen and water vapor. Developed in collaboration with GAC Group in China, the engine leverages advanced fuel injection and combustion technologies to overcome ammonia’s low flammability and high ignition temperature, challenges that have historically limited its use in automotive applications.

The concept engine, showcased in a prototype Corolla sedan, delivers approximately 160 horsepower and achieves a thermal efficiency of 40%, competitive with modern hybrid systems. Toyota claims the engine can be refueled in under five minutes at specialized ammonia stations, offering a range of roughly 400 miles per tank, comparable to many EVs. The company is also exploring ammonia fuel cells for future applications, which could power electric motors directly, blending ICE and EV technologies. Sato, speaking at the Tokyo Auto Show, emphasized the engine’s potential: “This is not just another engine—it’s a new path to zero emissions that doesn’t rely on batteries alone.”

The ammonia engine aligns with Toyota’s “multi-pathway” approach to decarbonization, championed by Chairman Akio Toyoda, who has long argued that EVs will not exceed 30% of the global market, with hybrids, hydrogen, and alternative fuels like ammonia filling the gap. Toyoda’s skepticism of an all-EV future, coupled with Sato’s bold claim, positions the ammonia engine as a direct challenge to Tesla’s battery-centric model, which Musk has predicted will replace combustion engines entirely, likening them to “steam engines” of the past.

Why Ammonia? The Case for an Alternative Fuel

Ammonia’s appeal lies in its carbon-neutral potential and logistical advantages. Unlike hydrogen, which requires high-pressure storage and complex infrastructure, ammonia is a liquid at moderate pressures, making it easier to store and transport. It has an energy density of 3.2 kWh per liter, higher than compressed hydrogen, and can be produced using renewable energy through the Haber-Bosch process, combining nitrogen from the air with hydrogen from water electrolysis. Toyota estimates that green ammonia production could reach cost parity with fossil fuels by 2030, with pilot projects already underway in Japan and Australia.

The engine addresses key EV pain points: battery production’s environmental impact, long charging times, and limited charging infrastructure in rural areas. Posts on X highlight enthusiasm for Toyota’s approach, with one user stating, “Toyota’s ammonia engine could be a game-changer for places without EV chargers. No batteries, no range anxiety!” However, ammonia’s toxicity and corrosive nature require specialized handling, and refueling infrastructure is virtually nonexistent, with only a handful of experimental stations in Japan. These hurdles temper the engine’s immediate viability, despite Toyota’s ambitious claims.

Tesla’s Dominance and Musk’s Response

Tesla remains the undisputed leader in the EV market, delivering 2.16 million vehicles globally in 2024 and maintaining its position as the world’s best-selling EV brand with the Model Y. The company’s success is driven by its vertically integrated supply chain, industry-leading battery technology, and a robust Supercharger network, which supports 250 kW charging for rapid refueling. Musk has consistently dismissed alternative fuels, calling hydrogen a “dumb way to store chemical energy” and focusing Tesla’s mission on mass-market EVs to eliminate CO2 emissions.

Sato’s provocative statement, amplified by sensational YouTube titles like “Toyota CEO: ‘Elon Musk Will Crap His Pants When He Sees This NEW Motor!’”, has not elicited a direct response from Musk as of May 6, 2025. However, Musk’s past reactions to Toyota’s electrification views suggest skepticism. In January 2024, he responded with a simple “Sigh” to Toyoda’s prediction that EVs would only capture 30% of the market, indicating a dismissive stance toward Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy. Musk’s silence on the ammonia engine may reflect confidence in Tesla’s lead or a strategic choice to avoid engaging with what some analysts call a “publicity stunt” by Toyota.

The claim that the ammonia engine will “destroy” Tesla’s dominance is further undermined by the lack of credible evidence that Musk is “losing it” or that Toyota’s engine poses an immediate threat. Sensational posts on X, such as “Elon Musk LOSES IT After Toyota Revealed NEW $13,000 EV,” conflate the ammonia engine with Toyota’s separate bZ3X EV, a $13,800 compact SUV launched in China, creating confusion. These posts, often linked to clickbait YouTube videos, lack verifiable sources and exaggerate Toyota’s impact on Tesla’s market position.

Challenges and Feasibility

While the ammonia engine is a technological marvel, its path to market faces significant obstacles:

Infrastructure: Ammonia refueling stations are scarce, and building a network to rival EV chargers or gas stations would require billions in investment. In contrast, Tesla’s Supercharger network spans over 50,000 stalls globally, with 2,500 in the U.S. alone.
Safety Concerns: Ammonia is toxic and can cause severe respiratory harm if mishandled. Toyota’s prototype includes safety systems to mitigate leaks, but public acceptance of a potentially hazardous fuel remains uncertain.
Production Costs: Green ammonia production is energy-intensive, and current costs are higher than gasoline or EV charging. Toyota’s 2030 cost-parity target depends on scaling renewable energy, a goal that remains speculative.
Market Readiness: The engine is still in the prototype stage, with Toyota projecting commercialization by 2030. Meanwhile, Tesla’s Model Y and upcoming $35,000 “decontented” variant are already capturing mass-market demand.

Analysts are skeptical of Toyota’s claims. Sam Fiorani of AutoForecast Solutions noted, “Toyota’s ammonia engine is innovative, but it’s a long shot to challenge EVs without infrastructure. It’s more of a hedge against battery supply constraints than a Tesla killer.” Posts on Reddit’s r/OutOfTheLoop echo this, dismissing similar claims about Toyota’s engines as “clickbait” and pointing to the lack of hydrogen infrastructure as a precedent for ammonia’s challenges.

Toyota’s Broader Strategy and Market Context

Toyota’s ammonia engine is part of its broader push to diversify beyond EVs, where it has lagged competitors. The company’s bZ4X EV, priced at $37,070 in the U.S., has faced criticism for limited range (252 miles EPA) and slow sales, with only 9,000 units sold in 2024. Meanwhile, Toyota’s hybrids, like the Prius and Camry, continue to drive sales, with 1.8 million units sold globally in 2024, capitalizing on sparse EV infrastructure in rural areas. The ammonia engine complements this strategy, targeting markets where battery production or charging networks are underdeveloped.

However, Toyota’s focus on alternative fuels has drawn criticism for delaying its EV transition. Hyundai and Kia, for example, have surged ahead with models like the Ioniq 6 and EV9, capturing EV market share with competitive pricing and 300-mile ranges. Tesla’s dominance is further reinforced by its $44,990 Model Y, which qualifies for a $7,500 U.S. tax credit, and its Fremont factory’s 600,000-unit annual capacity. Toyota’s claim of a “full menu” of products, as Toyoda once described, contrasts with Tesla’s streamlined EV focus, which has driven its $800 billion market valuation compared to Toyota’s $240 billion.

Public and Industry Reactions

The buzz around Sato’s statement has been amplified by sensational YouTube videos, with titles like “Toyota Just HUMILIATED Elon Musk And Elon Completely LOSES IT,” garnering millions of views. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with some praising Toyota’s innovation—“Toyota’s ammonia engine could change the game for rural drivers!”—while others defend Tesla’s lead: “Musk isn’t sweating this. Toyota’s playing catch-up.” Reddit discussions, particularly in r/electricvehicles, highlight skepticism, with users noting Toyota’s history of overhyping hydrogen fuel cells, like the Mirai, which flopped due to infrastructure issues.

Industry analysts view Toyota’s ammonia engine as a long-term bet rather than an immediate disruptor. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities remarked, “Toyota’s trying to carve a niche, but EVs are the future. Musk’s got a decade’s head start.” The lack of a Musk meltdown, as claimed in clickbait, further suggests that Tesla’s focus remains on scaling production and reducing costs, with plans for a $25,000 compact EV by 2026.

Conclusion

Toyota’s ammonia-powered engine is a bold, innovative step in the race to decarbonize transportation, offering a carbon-neutral alternative to EVs with potential advantages in refueling speed and infrastructure flexibility. CEO Koji Sato’s provocative claim that it will shock Elon Musk has generated buzz, but the engine’s impact on Tesla’s dominance is overstated. With significant hurdles in infrastructure, safety, and production costs, the ammonia engine is years from commercialization, while Tesla’s Model Y and expansive Supercharger network continue to set the EV standard. Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy may appeal to markets wary of EV limitations, but claims of “destroying” the EV industry are clickbait-driven exaggerations. As the automotive world watches, Toyota’s ammonia gamble is a fascinating subplot in the EV revolution, but Musk and Tesla remain firmly in the driver’s seat—for now.