A possible surprise from Toyota is an all-electric pickup truck that may arrive sooner than expected. Toyota plans to unveil its all-electric Hilux pickup by end-2025, as announced by the company’s Thai president. Toyota is poised to unveil its first fully electric truck just as Japanese competitor Isuzu prepares to release its own 100% electric vehicle later this month.
A game-changing Toyota Hilux pickup is finally on its way – and it’s going electric.
With its reputation as one of the world’s best-selling pickup trucks, Toyota’s Hilux could naturally lend itself to an electric makeover.
The Toyota Hilux has been sold across 180 countries and regions, cementing its reputation as a global bestseller. Despite launching the electrified Hilux Hybrid 48V in December, Toyota’s initial offering still centred around a robust 2.8L diesel powertrain. The replacement provided a modest 5% increase in fuel efficiency.
Toyota has recently unveiled a hydrogen-gasoline cell Hilux prototype. As speculation surrounding a potential battery-electric Toyota Hilux swirls, one pressing query remains: will we ever witness the launch of such a model?
Toyota will unveil an electric Hilux model by the end of 2025, despite the Japanese automaker’s initial hesitation.
At the Bangkok World Motor Show, Toyota Thailand President Noriaki Kamishita revealed that the Hilux EV will be ready by the end of next year?
Keeping off incoming EV rivals
Toyota anticipates a strong sales performance in Thailand this year, projecting 250,000 vehicle units sold despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in the region.
Japanese automakers such as Toyota and Nissan have long held sway over the Thai market, but a surge in demand for electric vehicles is slowly eroding their dominance.
Despite its dominance in Thailand’s automotive market, accounting for a third of total sales, Toyota still faces the challenge of electric vehicle (EV) adoption gaining traction. By the end of the decade, Thailand aims to require at least 30 percent of domestically manufactured vehicles to be electric.
Thailand’s best-selling electric vehicle model in 2022 was the top-ranked BYD brand from World Electric Vehicles. In December, the BYD Atto 3 emerged as the top-selling electric vehicle (EV), boasting an impressive figure of more than 19,200 units sold. BYD has reportedly begun trial manufacturing of the Atto 3 in Thailand last week, according to.
Following Isuzu’s unveiling of a forthcoming electric version of its top-selling D-MAX pickup, Toyota has responded with its own news:
Isuzu President Shinsuke Minami announced plans to provide a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) pickup truck in Thailand, signaling a significant move forward. The all-new electric pickup truck is set to make its global premiere at the Bangkok International Motor Show.
Electrek’s Take
Toyota is reportedly gearing up to launch an electric version of its popular Hilux pickup truck, a move that could further boost the brand’s eco-friendly credentials. According to the corporation’s Thailand president, the electric vehicle (EV) is slated for a release by the end of next year.
Despite unveiling the Hilux Revo BEV concept in Thailand in 2022, few developments have emerged since then. Toyota’s electric truck prototype was spotted undergoing tests in Australia in October, but internal feedback indicated it was still several years away from production.
Perhaps increased competition from Isuzu and emerging Chinese automakers like BYD might spur Toyota to finally introduce its electric truck offering.
Isuzu’s D-MAX ranks as Thailand’s second most popular pickup truck, trailing closely behind the perennial leader, Toyota Hilux. Notwithstanding, Toyota’s Hilux recorded a modest lead, with 9,354 units sold against Isuzu’s D-MAX, which trailed closely with 9,325 purchases in January.
Since its launch in July 2022, BYD has claimed a significant third of Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) sales, while boasting a 4% share of the country’s total auto market as of January.
