Toyota is keeping its cards close to its chest, but head honcho’s at the Japanese automaker look poised to bring a ‘baby Hilux’ to market. The best news, it may even be built in South Africa.
Toyota South Africa Motors recently announced the Toyota Mobility Concept (TMC) in their new Global and Regional Management Policy. The holistic direction looks at a variety of aspects for future mobility, pragmatically employing a ‘multi-pathway approach’ to new energy vehicles. The argument is that different regions require different mobility solutions and South Africa and Africa (and other emerging markets) have conditions that vary to other global regions. Plagued by limited power, infrastructure and technology – ‘vehicles as a lifeline’ requires them to be as durable and reliable as possible.
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Land Cruisers, Fortuners and Hiluxes have been at the forefront of this philosophy for years and dominated the slide showing ‘vehicles as a lifeline’. They will continue to do so but it seems that the Japanese automaker has plans to introduce a more compact bakkie offering into their line-up. This then would logically slot beneath their entry-level bakkie and serve as a more accessible but equally as durable model in the line-up
Very little information was shared on the model, however, it would be built on a ladder frame and be equipped with four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive (presumably depending on specification). The fundamental philosophy of this model, as confirmed by Leon Theron, the senior vice president of sales and marketing, is that it would retain the core ingredients of the Hilux, incorporated in a more compact offering at a more affordable price. Theron adds that this will be a solution for the African market.
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In addition to the new direction of Toyota, South Africa has been identified as a key location for Toyota Global’s future African plans. The current manufacturing and distribution infrastructure within the country will be key for ensuring the rest of the continent can develop sustainably.
“As part of TTC’s ‘Industrialisation in Africa’ pillar, Durban will be positioned as a ‘mother factory’ to the rest of the continent, where parts and vehicle distribution can be further expanded into Sub-Saharan Africa,” stated Shinichiro Otsuka, the COO for TTC Africa Region.
Theron further adds that the baby Hilux will be produced in South Africa and considering the vital Prospecton plant in Durban is a multi-model assembly line, it would logically occur there. This, will all unfold by 2025/2026 when the model is expected to come to market. This may be a future legacy for Toyota in emerging markets and on the African continent, good call? Time will tell.
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Also read: Toyota Vitz is now the cheapest Toyota in the market
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