Toyota is to start mass-producing an electric version of the Hilux pickup by the end of 2025, according to Toyota Thailand’s president, Noriaki Yamashita.
According to Reuters
, Yamashita told reporters at the Bangkok International Motor Show that the Hilux could be ready by the end of next year.
While not specifying where the electric Hilux would be produced, Thailand is a global hub for pickup manufacturing, with variants of the Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Triton, MG Extender, Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux trucks rolling out of factories in the country. With Toyota expecting to sell 250,000 vehicles in Thailand in 2025, according to the Reuters report, it would be unlikely that production would move away from the Thai facility.
Isuzu used the motor show to reveal its forthcoming D-Max EV electric pickup, which will also launch in 2025. Manufactured in Thailand, the battery-electric vehicle will be delivered to the European market ahead of other territories.
Electrification is gaining ground in Thailand, with billions of dollars in investment from Chinese brands such as BYD, Changan Automobile, and Great Wall Motors pouring into the local economy.
Development of the electric Hilux is being shared with Toyota in Thailand and Australia. In addition to spending time in the service of large customers in Australia, Toyota will be providing 12 electric Hilux prototypes to the tourist beach town of Pattaya for use in a ride-hailing trial.
