Toyota is seriously considering producing a light pickup based on the platform of the Corolla Cross SUV, which itself qualifies as a light passenger car. If it gets the green light, the baby truck will compete against the likes of Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz, Automotive News reports.
The project has yet to receive approval, but insiders claim that the exterior of the car is already under development. Allegedly, Toyota wants it to look unique and not too similar to the Corolla Cross.
Even if the production gets approved, the actual sales will not start until 2027. The Corolla Cross, which was originally introduced in 2020, will likely receive a generational update by that time. As such, we would imagine that work on the Corolla Cross and the Corolla pickup will proceed in parallel.
The insider claims that the light truck is primarily designed to run on hybrid power and to sell well in the United States. The production will be arranged at one of Toyota’s factories in North America.