Toyota has revealed plans to mass-produce a battery-electric version of its legendary Hilux pickup truck by the end of 2025.
The president of Toyota’s Thailand unit made the announcement on Tuesday, signalling a strategic shift for the Japanese automaker.
Strategic Shift
While Toyota has been unusually hesitant to adopt electric powertrains, the company’s position appears to be shifting.
The president of Toyota’s Thai subsidiary announced plans to introduce an all-electric version of the Hilux pickup vehicle over the next several years.
D-MAX Pickup Truck
This declaration follows a similar approach by rival Japanese automaker Isuzu Motors, which recently announced intentions to build a battery-powered D-MAX pickup truck in Thailand by 2025.
The Hilux is prominent in many global markets, and Toyota previously demonstrated an all-electric concept version of the truck in 2022 to commemorate its 60th anniversary in Thailand.
The prototype was partially developed in Thailand, a major manufacturing hub for Toyota in the region.
Hilux BEV
Noriaki Yamashita, representing Toyota Thailand, stated that a production version of the electric pickup truck is on its way. However, the Hilux BEV’s manufacturing location was not divulged.
Yamashita stated that the electric pickup will be tested in Pattaya, a vacation town in eastern Thailand, before going into production.
Approximately a dozen electric trucks will be deployed in Pattaya next month to serve as public transport vehicles in the renowned tourist area.
Toyota’s intention to enter the electric pickup truck market comes amid growing global interest in electric vehicles.
Emmanuel Beaune, the head of Toyota’s commercial vehicle division in Europe, confirmed that the company had received queries concerning an electric Hilux for the European market.
Although Toyota is looking at electric powertrains, Beaune emphasised a “multi-pathway approach,” which would provide consumers with a variety of powertrain options such as electric, internal combustion, hybrid, and hydrogen.
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