Despite strengthening emission regulations, Toyota Australia will stand by its popular ute, and consider new ways to power it.
Toyota Australia will stand by its popular HiLux ute amid growing pressure from strict, inbound CO2 emissions rules for new vehicles.
"We certainly haven't given up on HiLux, and we have no intentions of giving up on HiLux – we still think it's going to be a big part of our line-up going forward," Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia's head of sales and marketing, told Drive.
"We've made it very clear many times that nothing's changed.
That would give customers the choice of the existing 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engines.
Toyota will want to capitalise on the cost of developing the 48-volt 'V-Active' mild-hybrid system introduced to the current range in 2024. It will help reduce the ute's impact on Toyota's emissions balance under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) introduced this year.
The mild-hybrid system is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by 7-10 per cent, depending on the model, alongside lower CO2 – but cannot power the wheels on electric power alone.
Rest assured, HiLux buyers will not need to go full electric – for now, at least – as Toyota has alluded to the use of biofuels rather than a full powertrain change for the top-selling model.
"People have discarded biofuels a little, and I think there's a future for some cars to reduce emissions through biofuels," said Hanley.
"We think that you can still build a combustion [petrol or diesel] engine and reduce emissions, which is a firm part of Toyota's multi-pathway strategy.
"We've never deviated from that position in the last few years, despite getting hugely criticised for it, and we don't intend to deviate from it."
The Toyota HiLux was Australia's top-selling new vehicle for seven years, before the Ford Ranger – the long-time second-place finisher – claimed the top spot in 2023 and 2024.
Ford has future-proofed its Ranger through plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology, due in Australian showrooms imminently.
Toyota has not confirmed when, or indeed if, hybrid or plug-in hybrid technology will be added to the HiLux. In the meantime, the company's strong hybrid sales – plus the upcoming PHEV RAV4 – will help it meet the new emissions targets.
"I do truly believe that [ute sales] kind of hit its peak; the new competitors and new entries will stimulate it for a period, but not for a long period," Hanley told Drive.
"I think SUVs will eventually [overtake ute sales]. Not this year, but ute will still be number one. But I reckon watch 2026."
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
