Toyota HiLux Revo BEV undergoes evaluation

TOYOTA Australia says it has this week marked another milestone in its progress towards zero tailpipe emissions with local engineers and selected industry partners given the opportunity to evaluate its fully-electric HiLux Revo BEV concept.

The prototype model was put through its paces at Toyota’s Altona facility outside of Melbourne, where several “large-volume HiLux customers and other valued clients” were offered the opportunity to join Toyota Australia’s vehicle evaluation team for a series of “confirmation drives”.

Upon completion of the “compressed Australian confirmation program”, the Toyota HiLux Revo BEV concept has been returned to Thailand where it will be further assessed as part of a demonstration fleet of HiLux-based electric share taxis for the domestic market.

According to Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley, feedback showed that the HiLux Revo BEV concept confirmed that Toyota was far more advanced in developing battery-electric vehicles than most people anticipated.

“Our evaluation engineers and industry partners have confirmed that this city-focused HiLux BEV – while very much a concept vehicle – looks, feels and drives like a production model,” he explained.

“I’ve also had the opportunity to drive it – and it’s clear the concept vehicle’s all-electric powertrain delivers the impressive torque you’d normally expect from a diesel engine.

“It is further evidence of the broad scope of Toyota’s multi-path strategy for achieving carbon-free mobility, applying different powertrain solutions to suit different user needs and operating environments worldwide.”

Mr Hanley said Toyota Australia was “optimistic” about the prospects for the type of city-focused HiLux BEV envisaged by the concept vehicle and would be keen to bring any such a vehicle to Australia.

“Under the skin, this vehicle is powered by Toyota’s EV-related technologies developed over more than a quarter of a century, including batteries, motors, inverters and power-control units,” he detailed.

“It’s a strong indicator of Toyota’s determination to overcome the challenges of electrifying our commercial vehicles, ensuring there are multiple options that can meet the expectations of end users.”

Mr Hanley said the HiLux Revo BEV concept program is the “latest chapter” in Toyota’s Thai-Australian relationship that was also instrumental in the development of the recently launched HiLux GR Sport.

Thailand is considered the “ute capital” of the automotive world, a “production powerhouse” that builds HiLux and competitor workhorse vehicles for carmakers and markets across the globe.

The Toyota HiLux has been Australia’s best-selling vehicle for the past seven years with more than 64,000 sales last year. It is even more popular in Thailand where demand topped 145,000 vehicles in 2022.

Mr Hanley recently told GoAuto that the HiLux is on track to sell more than 50,000 units in Australia this year, topping last year’s number of 47,329.

“This year’s tally will be above 50,000 units, which also confirms that production and supply of HiLux is indeed healthy,” he said.

Mr Hanley added that the easing of supply chain restrictions would reduce customer wait times while simultaneously giving Toyota Australia its best half-year sales tally in history – simultaneously continuing the HiLux’s upward trajectory.

Over a five-year period, the Toyota HiLux appears to have locked horns with Ford’s Ranger, particularly in the 4x4 ute segment.

Since 2018, the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux have alternated between first- and second place at the top of the new-vehicle sales ladder, with 2023 shaping up as no exception.