When Toyota Tundra ute will be sold in Australia next to the Hilux
Another monstrous American-style ‘pickup truck’ is coming to Australia, with Toyota announcing the development of the Tundra ute for local conditions.
The Japanese car giant has an official partnership with Walkinshaw Automotive Group to convert the American vehicles to right-hand drive.
The move comes as the Australian auto industry is adjusting to a growing appetite for the larger pickup truck so popular in the United States.
A fleet of 300 Tundras will be deployed across Australia in the fourth quarter of 2023, before the model officially hits the market, possibly next year.
“Demand for full-size pickups in Australia continues to grow and we believe we are coming to market at the right time,” Toyota told Daily Mail Australia.
The Japanese auto giant has officially partnered with Walkinshaw Automotive Group to convert its American-style Tundra pickups to a right-hand drive configuration for Australian roads
Toyota Hilux has long been Australia’s car of choice, but is expected to come under pressure in 2023
Toyota Tundras are much bigger, more powerful and much more expensive than Australia’s most popular ute, the Hilux.
Tundras are up to 6.2 m long, up to 80 cm longer than a Hilux and with a height of 2 m up to 30 cm taller.
While Toyota previously announced that the redesigned Tundras would be hybrids, the prototypes spotted in Australia have so far run on petrol only.
Toyota confirmed that testing of the prototypes on public roads began in September last year.
“The vehicles will be equipped with a new inline hybrid system featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine – the most advanced and fuel-efficient powertrain available for this model,” a statement from Toyota said.
Hiluxes range from 2.4 liter diesel for the entry level Workmate to 2.8 liter diesel for the Rugged. The gasoline-only Workmate has a displacement of 2.7 liters and retails for just $28,710.
The Tundra (top) dwarfs Toyota’s HiLux (bottom), with the new ute measuring 5,933mm long and 2,037mm wide, compared to the classic’s chassis measuring just 5,265mm long and 1,800mm wide
Size comparison between Toyota’s popular HiLux (above) and the new Tundra (below) due to hit Aussie showrooms in 2024
Side-on comparison of the HiLux (top) and Tundra (bottom)
In contrast, the Tundra is guaranteed to have a six-figure price tag when it hits the market, possibly in early 2024.
“Toyota has confirmed an extensive development program in Australia for the Tundra pickup, demonstrating its intent for local development and evaluation experts to redesign Tundra into an RHD format and evaluate the vehicle against the harsh local conditions and the heavy use by customers in Australia.” the 2022 statement also said.
Walkinshaw has previously steered left-to-right conversions for Toyota’s SUV rivals Chevrolet and Ram.
The Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are both already available in right-hand drive form.
Similarly, Ford’s F-150 – one of the best-selling vehicles in the United States for many years – can now be ordered in Australia.
Despite being almost twice as expensive as a new Hilux, the F-150 is predicted to become its main rival.
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting that the next-generation Hilux, the ninth model in the series since 1968, will also be styled to resemble a new US release, the Tacoma.
Next on the list for Toyota in 2023 is the release of its Hilux GR Sport
The Ford Ranger finished second to the Hilux in the 2022 list of the top 10 car sales in Australia, but already in 2023 it has ahead of its main rival
The latest Hilux, initially expected in 2024, could hit the market a year later than expected in 2025.
It is thought that Toyota needs to move the styling of its Hilux to an American look to meet the challenge of Ford’s Ranger and the F-150.
The Tacoma and Hilux are reportedly being developed side by side and both will share Toyota’s TNGA-F platform.
In 2022 Toyota sold 64,391 Hiluxes, Ford’s Ranger was the second most popular model, with 17,000 fewer cars sold.
But monthly car sales data shows the Ranger outselling Hilux by 2023.
Two-thirds of new car sales in Australia by 2022 were SUVs, 4WDs or light commercial vehicles, including utes.
There is speculation that the new Toyota Hilux will be styled to resemble the Toyota Tacomba, which is not available in Australia
The best-selling car in Australia has been a ute every year since 2016.
Before the new Hilux is released, Toyota will release its latest Hilux variant, the GR Sport, in the second half of 2023.
It will have a 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine with an output of 165 kW and 550 Nm.
The last new Hilux model released in Australia was in 2015.
Sales figures for 2023 and beyond are likely to be impacted by changes to the tax credit for immediate asset depreciation, making it more difficult for traditional companies to purchase utility vehicles.
As of June 30, the spending limit for new or used motor vehicles in the scheme drops from $65,000 to $20,000.
Toyota Hiluxes can be had for as little as $28,000 for the entry-level Hilux Workmate.
Toyota Australia told Daily Mail Australia it has ‘no plans’ to introduce the Tacoma in Australia.
“As far as HiLux is concerned, we will be introducing a halo off-road variant later this year, the HiLux GR Sport. Furthermore, we are always looking at ways to improve our product offering, but otherwise we have nothing to report today.’