Several high-performance carmakers say they will not go fully electric in the near term

Several well-known sports car manufacturers have told customers they will continue to produce internal combustion engine models for years to come, even as many mainstream brands roll out battery-electric versions of longtime nameplates.

Executives at Ford, Morgan, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Aston Martin and Lamborghini have in recent months reiterated commitments to petrol-powered drivetrains, outlined hybrid or multi-pathway approaches to emissions reduction, or delayed the introduction of full battery-electric models amid weak demand in the high-end EV market.

Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley told Autocar in comments resurfacing last year that the Mustang would not be made as an all-electric car, saying, "One thing I can promise... is that we will never make an all-electric Mustang." Farley added that he wanted the V8 "to be alive for as long as God and the politicians let us." Ford’s Mustang is expected to remain available with its 5.0-litre V8 through at least 2030, according to company forecasts cited by reporters. The company has already applied the Mustang name and badge to the battery-powered crossover Mustang Mach‑E, which Ford markets separately as an electric performance vehicle.

Small British coachbuilder Morgan has also committed to keeping internal combustion engines in its hand-built models "for as long as we possibly can," according to company boss Matthew Hole. Morgan currently fits BMW and Ford petrol engines across its Plus Four, Super 3 and Supersport models and said it is running an electric development programme in parallel but will defer broader electrification until lighter solid-state battery technology is achievable.

Toyota’s performance arm, Gazoo Racing, has signalled a similar stance. Tomoya Takahashi, president of Toyota Gazoo Racing, told media that the division intends to "use internal combustion engines as much as possible" and pursue a "multi-pathway" approach that emphasises hybrids rather than immediate full electrification for flagship models such as the GR Yaris, GR Corolla and GR Supra. Takahashi said the company views carbon, not engines themselves, as the primary issue and that Toyota is investing in future internal combustion technologies as well as alternative powertrains.

Aston Martin has repeatedly pushed back the launch of its first battery-electric model and said earlier this year that it has delayed a planned EV debut. Chief Executive Adrian Hallmark told Automotive News that the company faces two distinct customer groups — one that embraces electrification and another that is strongly opposed — and that replacing a historic nameplate with an electric variant would risk alienating long-standing buyers. Chairman Lawrence Stroll has said some customers appreciate the "smell, feel and noise" of petrol engines and the company will continue to serve them while it finalises its EV strategy.

Lamborghini has likewise postponed the arrival of an all-electric sports car. A model based on the 2023 Lanzador concept was originally expected in 2028 but the rollout was pushed to 2029, and Chief Executive Stephan Winkelmann has acknowledged the company is still weighing whether its next halo product should be a plug-in hybrid or a full EV. Winkelmann told reporters that timing is crucial and that Lamborghini does not need to be an early entrant into the high-end EV segment "when the people are ready to buy these things." He also indicated the Urus SUV’s replacement would be offered as a plug-in hybrid rather than a battery-electric vehicle.

Industry executives have pointed to slowing demand in the upper end of the electric vehicle market as a factor in the cautious approach. Reports from luxury marques suggest limited buyer interest so far in high-performance battery-electric cars, prompting some manufacturers to prioritise hybrids, delayed EV launches or continued production of combustion models while consumer preferences and battery technology evolve.

The strategic divergence highlights a broader tension within the auto industry as regulators press for lower emissions and mainstream brands accelerate electrification. Legacy nameplates that carry strong associations with engine sound, weight distribution and driving feel can present particular challenges when engineers attempt to replace a combustion‑powered experience with batteries and electric motors.

Manufacturers have framed their decisions around customer demand, product identity and technology readiness rather than an outright rejection of electrification. Several firms acknowledged running parallel programmes to study electric powertrains or to develop hybrid systems that preserve certain aspects of performance while reducing tailpipe emissions. In some cases — notably smaller manufacturers such as Morgan — executives said they would wait for advances in battery chemistry and energy density, such as lightweight solid-state cells, before attempting to convert their vehicles to fully electric layouts.

The market implications for suppliers and dealers include prolonged demand for traditional internal combustion components, continued production runs for V8 and V12 engines in premium segments, and a staggered timeline for parts and service transformation. For investors and policy makers, the divergence complicates forecasts about the pace of fleet electrification and the timing of emissions reductions in the luxury and high-performance car segments.

Automakers that have committed to near-term petrol continuity also maintain that electrification is inevitable for some product lines and that regulatory changes will accelerate that shift over time. Executives emphasise timing, customer readiness and technological maturity as determinants of when specific nameplates will transition to hybrids or full battery-electric architectures.

As mainstream brands continue to introduce electric alternatives to best-selling models, the industry’s high-performance corner appears likely to remain a mixed landscape for the foreseeable future, with combustion, hybrid and electric technologies coexisting across different brands and models.

The stance from these manufacturers will be watched closely by buyers, investors and regulators as the broader auto market moves toward lower emissions and as battery technology and high-end EV demand continue to develop.