Toyota Tests Hilux BEV In Thailand, Starting Production In 2025

Toyota Hilux BEV. (Doc. Australian Toyota)

Toyota is testing the latest battery-electric-based Hilux pickup truck in Thailand. This test was carried out in order to assess performance in several different conditions ahead of its launch at the end of 2025.

The manufacturer tested this model in the white elephant country in various cases, ranging from a number of road conditions, temperatures, to extreme conditions.

"Our intention is to produce the Hilux BEV here," said Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Asia Pras Ganeshes, quoted by Reuters, Friday, May 17.

However, this Japanese manufacturer declined to provide details regarding the price or production volume of the Hilux BEV model. It is said that this model will be Toyota's first EV pickup truck.

It was also stated that the Hilux BEV would prioritize the Thai local market, but did not rule out the possibility that this car would be exported to other countries.

The more reach that must be used, the bigger the battery that must be used, which means the weight of the vehicle is also getting much heavier, which means the payload can be much less, "added Ganesh.

Rival dari Toyota, seperti Isuzu juga sedang menyiapkan model D-Max versi listrik untuk pasar Thailand. Hal ini telah diungkapkan oleh pemerintah setempat waktu lalu.

The pickup segment is on the rise in Thailand by contributing more than half of the country's total vehicle sales. This is an important market for Toyota amid the hectic Chinese manufacturers offering electric vehicle products.

During 2023, Toyota sold more than 30,000 hybrid cars in the Thai market or accounted for about 11.5 percent of the total sales of four-wheeled vehicles in the region.