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Automobiles

Toyota takes commanding lead in EV patents but no match for Tesla in sales

Japanese players must also contend with Chinese rivals' rapid growth

Toyota's technological prowess owes partly to the success of the Prius, as hybrids share many parts with electric vehicles.   © Reuters

TOKYO -- While Japanese automakers lag Tesla and Volkswagen in electric-vehicle sales, they hold an advantage in critical EV technology, with Toyota Motor ranking first worldwide based on the importance of its U.S. patents, new research finds.

Nikkei, in partnership with Tokyo-based research firm Patent Results, scored global companies on the competitiveness of their EV-related patents in the U.S. as of early July, based on factors such as how often these patents are cited or disputed.

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