Toyota continues testing the upcoming all-electric modification of its Hilux truck, and will be sending a whole production batch of them to Thailand where they will serve the public as city shuttles, or shared taxis.
The corresponding statement stems from Toyota Daihatsu Engineering & Manufacturing Executive VP, Pras Ganesh, as quoted by Reuters.
Starting in early 2024, the electric trucks will hit the roads of Pattaya, Thailand, as the so-called ‘songthaew’. A songthaew is a truck repurposed into a passenger minibus with seats installed in the cargo bed. In southeastern Asia, such conversions are common.
Commenting on the decision, Pras Ganesh said Toyota reasoned that adapting its EVs to the local market specifics would be easier by introducing them in the city shuttle form. Later on, the company plans to follow up by releasing all manner of other EVs in Thailand, including commercial transports.
Toyota unveiled the original Hilux Revo BEV Concept in Thailand in 2022. The electric Hilux was also shown to select brand fans in Australia this October. It appears almost ready for production, but the company remains tight-lipped about the production start date or technical parameters.