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Intellectual Property

May 14, 2026

Zimbabwe EV venture accuses Toyota foundation of trade secret theft

A Zimbabwean social enterprise sued the Toyota Mobility Foundation in Los Angeles, alleging it misappropriated proprietary rural electric vehicle technology and operational data to launch competing African mobility programs.

Zimbabwe EV venture accuses Toyota foundation of trade secret theft
Michael Bowe of Brithem

A Zimbabwean social enterprise has filed a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles against the Toyota Mobility Foundation, alleging the global automotive giant's philanthropic arm engaged in a fraudulent joint venture to misappropriate proprietary rural electric vehicle technology and field data.

The complaint filed Tuesday by attorneys with Olson Stein LLP in Newport Beach and Brithem in New York claimed that after plaintiff Mobility for Africa provided the "proof of concept"...

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