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During CES 2025, Toyota President Akio Toyoda announced a $44,4 million investment in the Japanese company in a market dominated by Elon Musk
When we talk about innovation and transformation, it is impossible not to think about Elon Musk The businessman, who has already revolutionized sectors such as payments online, electric cars and space exploration, seems to have inspired industry giants. This time, Toyota is the one entering the game, and the objective is clear: reach for the stars.
The strategic diversification of giant companies is a common movement in the corporate world. In this scenario, the decision of Toyota has been investing a lot of money to become a big competitor in a market where Elon Musk dominates with a certain tranquility.
During Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Toyota Corporation CEO Akio Toyoda announced a 7 billion yen investment (about 45 million dollars) na Interstellar Technologies, a private Japanese space technology company.
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The investment marks Toyota's official entry into a sector dominated by giants such as Elon Musk's SpaceX, which is currently leading the commercial space race.
Toyota will have a seat on Interstellar's board of directors, ensuring direct influence over the company's strategic and operational decisions.
Elon Musk and the space mobility revolution
Elon Musk, Known for transforming entire industries, it is an inevitable reference when talking about technological and business advances.
Under his leadership, the SpaceX redefined space exploration. In 2023, the company carried out 134 launches, more than all other countries combined, cementing its absolute dominance in the sector.
Meanwhile, the Japan faces challenges in the aerospace industry. In 2023, the country carried out only three space launches, a number far below the 116 launches carried out by the United States and 63 by China.
The Japanese government plans to achieve around 30 annual launches by 2030, but that goal will require a profound structural transformation, something that the partnership between Toyota and Interstellar seeks to make possible.
Interstellar Technologies and Toyota
Founded in 2013, Interstellar Technologies is a private Japanese company dedicated to developing low-cost launch vehicles for small satellites weighing less than 100 kilograms.
In 2019, the company achieved a major milestone by successfully launching a 20-kilogram payload into a suborbital trajectory. Since then, it has been working to make rocket manufacturing more affordable and efficient.
The collaboration with Toyota is seen as an essential step in transforming its artisanal production into a scalable and cost-effective manufacturing process.
According to Takahiro Inagawa, CEO of Interstellar, Toyota’s expertise in automotive production will be essential to achieving this goal. “From the beginning, we have taken a hands-on, trial-and-error approach. Toyota is the ideal partner to help us scale our rocket production to industrial scale.”, He stated.
Mobility beyond Earth
Toyota no longer wants to be seen as just a car manufacturer. According to Akio Toyoda, the goal now is to “produce mobility and happiness for all".
This vision includes exploring new frontiers, such as space. During his CES presentation, Toyoda stated: “We are exploring with rockets because the future of mobility should not be limited to Earth."
The phrase, interpreted as a dig at Elon Musk's Tesla, reflects Toyota's ambition to expand its impact beyond the automotive sector.
Woven by Toyota, the company’s innovation division, will be the board representative for Interstellar. Woven CEO Hajime Kumabe said the collaboration aims to leverage Toyota’s vast manufacturing expertise to transform rocket production and accelerate the transformation of mobility.
A step in the commercial space race
Toyota’s investment in Interstellar is more than a bold bet; it is a strategic response to the growth of the commercial space industry.
SpaceX currently leads the pack by a wide margin, but the competition is intensifying. Interstellar believes the key to competing with companies like SpaceX lies in mass production of lightweight rockets and lowering the cost of access to space.
The collaboration between Toyota and Interstellar has been in the works for a few years now. In 2019, Toyota worked on a lunar rover in partnership with JAXA (Japan Space Agency) for NASA's Artemis program.
In 2020, it began collaborating with Interstellar on projects to reduce costs and delivery times for space launches.
The new 7 billion yen funding will enable Interstellar to accelerate its production plans and significantly increase launch frequency.
Challenges and prospects for Japan
Although Japan is lagging behind in the space race, the partnership with Toyota could help boost the industry.
Interstellar stressed that achieving its goal of 30 annual launches by 2030 will require an efficient mass production system and a robust supply chain. This is a key focus of the collaboration with Toyota.
The next big test for the Japanese space industry will be the Michibiki 6 mission, scheduled to take off in February 2025 from the Tanegashima Space Center.
The 4.900-kilogram satellite will be launched aboard the H3 Launch Vehicle, manufactured by Mitsubishi in partnership with JAXA. The mission represents an important step for Japan, which plans to increase its presence in space with seven more launches throughout the year.
I believe in Toyota because it was the first and most successful car company in the world and the best brand of all types of cars is Toyota.
Toyota has accessories and everyone else, but other car brands have problems with accessories. I want Toyota to be number one in the world.
Guys, Elon Musk has everything in the world, nothing he lacks, so in this case, Toyota will not be able to handle Tesla, even the subway, he has Toyota, it will serve as Tesla's bonus, thank you, listen, misunderstanding Tesla, I ask for my sincere apologies.