Toyota Motor is gearing up to produce its first electric Hilux pickup truck in Thailand by the end of 2025. The company is currently testing the vehicle to ensure it performs well in various conditions. According to a Reuters report, Pras Ganesh, Toyota Motor Asia's Executive Vice President highlighted that this move is significant as pickup trucks make up over half of all vehicle sales in Thailand, a crucial market for Toyota. The country has seen a surge of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers, increasing the competition.
ALSO READ: Mahindra Set To Shape Its EV Portfolio, Will Invest Rs 12,000 In Electric Vehicle Sector
Ganesh mentioned at the Future Mobility Asia summit that Toyota's goal is to produce the Hilux BEV, or battery-electric vehicle, in Thailand. However, he did not disclose any details about the pricing or production volume for the new EV pickup truck. The Hilux BEV will be Toyota's first electric pickup, marking a significant step in their EV strategy. Toyota isn't the only Japanese automaker eyeing the Thai market for EV pickups. Isuzu Motors also announced plans to produce its electric D-MAX pickup truck in Thailand. While the primary market for the Hilux BEV will be domestic, Toyota is also considering exporting it.
The testing phase for the Hilux BEV involves assessing its performance in different road and temperature conditions. Ganesh explained that the challenge lies in balancing the battery range and the vehicle's weight, which affects its load capacity. Toyota aims to ensure that the new electric pickup meets customer needs and usage requirements.
ALSO READ: Government Rejects Proposal Of Tax Reduction On Hybrid Cars, Claims Report
While Toyota lags behind EV leaders like Tesla and China's BYD, it has seen success with its hybrid vehicles. Many consumers are opting for petrol-electric hybrids, an area where Toyota has excelled. Ganesh expects hybrid sales to continue growing in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries, despite increasing competition from cost-effective rivals like Great Wall Motor.
In 2023, Toyota sold over 30,000 hybrid cars in Thailand, making up about 11.5 per cent of its total vehicle sales in the country. This indicates a strong demand for hybrid technology, which Toyota hopes to take advantage of as it introduces the new electric Hilux.