While rivals invest billions in all-new platforms, Toyota prefers to play it safe.

And this even applies to important launches, like the new Camry and the future RAV4, which, despite the new look and some improvements, continue to be built on the same structural foundations as the models launched in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

And no, this isn't just to save money.

According to Australian executive Sean Hanley, in an interview with Drive magazine, this strategy is intentional and technical.

A Toyota believes that maintaining a platform that has already been tested over the years is crucial to guarantee the brand's pillars: quality, durability and reliability.

In his words: “Today’s platforms deliver exactly that — and that’s what matters to us.”

Toyota's reasoning follows a logic known in the sector. Completely new models, with new platforms and engines, often face unexpected problems in the first years of production.

A car that has gone through years of refinement tends to be more reliable. An example cited is the BMW X3, which had questionable reliability performance right after its redesign, but improved over time.

Another case is Mazda, which is among JD Power's most reliable brands — and whose vehicle lineup, for the most part, is still based on pre-2020 platforms.

The Camry, even with its “recycled platform”, remains an excellent midsize sedan. It won critical praise and even car of the year awards in specialized publications.

The new RAV4, in turn, has not yet been tested by the press, but it also promises to deliver a competitive package, despite its family base.

And Toyota is not alone: ​​brands like NissanDodge and Mazda itself also followed this conservative line, with vehicles that, despite being old in structure, continue to sell well.

O Dodge Chargerfor example, spent more than a decade on the market with minimal changes and still maintained a loyal audience.

And, of course, the cost factor cannot be ignored.

Designing a new platform from scratch requires heavy investments — and Toyota, even though it is one of the automakers richest in the world, knows that every penny saved today can be directed towards the development of EVs and hybrids in the future.

Instead of reinventing all models with combustion engines, the brand seems to choose to extend the life cycle of these platforms as much as possible, preparing the ground for the great electric shift in the coming years.

This approach may seem conservative, but it is based on data, reliability and financial strategy.

Toyota knows that the energy transition will require massive investments, and until that happens, it continues to invest in cars that consumers know, trust — and continue to buy.