TOYOTA Australia has this week launched its Rugged-X changing HiLux GR Sport, the domestically developed variant slotting above the HiLux Rogue at $73,990 plus on-road prices.
However in accordance with native administration, the eighth-generation utility – which is now in its eighth 12 months of manufacturing – nonetheless has a minimum of one trick up its sleeve; in addition to a gentle provide of standard variants.
Chatting with journalists gathered for the Australian launch of the HiLux GR Sport in regional New South Wales this week, Toyota Australia vice chairman of gross sales, advertising and marketing and franchise operations, Sean Hanley, stated one other ‘halo’ variant will be part of the HiLux vary from 2024.
“Our clients have confirmed that these ‘halo’ fashions construct and broaden the unbreakable fame of the HiLux,” he stated.
“Over 9 per cent (26,064 items) of HiLux gross sales since 2018 have been variants above the SR5, and half of these the Rogue … and we may have yet one more HiLux shock in retailer for subsequent 12 months.
Mr Hanley wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not the brand new variant would provide one other HiLux ‘flavour’ to enrich the “City Adventurer” Rogue and sporty, off-road biased GR Sport, or if the mannequin would deliver extra energy to the line-up, giving Toyota a rival to the strong-selling Ford Ranger Raptor.
He advised GoAuto that nothing is off the desk, and that Toyota Australia stays dedicated to assembly the necessities of its native clients.
“This common updating of our fashions exhibits how dedicated we’re to assembly the necessities of our native clients. We’re now not locked into the product cycles of yesteryear. We’re nimble and we’re fast at getting automobiles to market,” he stated.
“It’s a dynamic market, and we have to consider how this automobile (HiLux GR Sport) performs.”
Assuming the HiLux GR Sport certainly meets the gross sales expectations of Toyota Australia – which already has 1600 agency orders on its books – we requested Mr Hanley if consideration can be given to a extra highly effective various, presumably with Ranger Raptor rivalling V6 energy.
“Proper now, we don’t have the potential to supply engine improvement (inside the Australian improvement program). That’s to not say that’s completely out of the query, it’s simply to say that for something of that nature we might be counting on our father or mother firm,” he defined.
“We’re all the time taking a look at new fashions and new alternatives … and there’s a need inside the marketplace for higher-grade autos. The market is shifting so quick. Ute and SUV gross sales are persevering with to climb, however I do suppose there’s a ceiling as to the place the market is ready to go.
“And after we discuss engines – at this cut-off date – we’re not essentially trying to simply four- and six-cylinder choices. There may be the potential for a BEV, the potential for an FCEV. It’s an attention-grabbing time, and we will likely be guided by what it’s the market is wanting – no matter that’s, we’ve obtained it coated … and we received’t rule something out.”
Within the right here and now, Toyota Australia senior product planning specialist, Rodney Lyons, stated the HiLux GR Sport was about persevering with to broaden the attraction of the favored mannequin amongst these with a leisure focus, whereas persevering with to supply variants higher suited to commerce and agricultural sectors.
“It’s a extremely thrilling time for us in launching the HiLux GR Sport. It is a car that has been 5 years within the making – as a substitute for the HiLux Rugged X – and I’m proud to say it was a venture that was born, bred and lead from right here in Australia,” he stated.
“A lot of the testing and analysis of the HiLux GR Sport was carried out right here in Australia during the last two years with greater than 100,000km at our proving centre in Anglesea, within the sand dunes in South Australia, the desert north of Mildura, and within the Victorian Excessive Nation. It’s undeniably way over a beauty train.”
In keeping with Toyota Australia senior supervisor of promoting integration, Tim Stuckey, the HiLux stays one in all Australia’s strongest promoting autos due to its means to satisfy the altering wants of its clients, noting a complete variety of some 1.25 million patrons because the nameplate debuted over 55 years in the past.
“That is the most recent in a storied historical past of HiLux that stretches again to March 1968,” he enthused.
“Over 55 years, HiLux has advanced via eight generations to grow to be a byword for toughness, inspiring confidence in everybody who drives it – in addition to being the nationwide best-seller since 2016.
“HiLux has been the best-seller in WA for every of the previous 15 years, in Queensland for 16 years in a row, and within the Northern Territory for 22 years straight.”
Reiterating the message of his colleague, Mr Hanley stated buyer suggestions and demand had pushed Toyota Australia to proceed the growth of its native vary to make sure the line-up match Australia’s distinctive circumstances.
“Since we launched the primary of our halo fashions again in April 2018, they’ve been snapped up by 26,000 homeowners or a formidable 9 per cent of all HiLux deliveries. Greater than half of that complete is HiLux Rogue,” he defined.
“However after all, it has been working a solo race these days, with greater than 5000 delivered this 12 months alone. That represents a formidable share of just about 13 per cent of complete HiLux gross sales, and greater than 16 per cent of HiLux four-by-four deliveries.
“We anticipate the HiLux GR Sport to be largely incremental with preliminary manufacturing set at 3500 items per 12 months. However our construct technique provides us nice flexibility if we have to regulate.”
Nonetheless, Mr Hanley stated he didn’t want to see a HiLux GR Sport in each driveway, saying halo clients anticipated a degree of exclusivity when parting with their hard-earned.
“Individuals at this finish of the market need one thing particular. We all know that they don’t need their neighbours to be driving one. So, our conservative method to quantity will solely add additional to the attraction of this car,” he detailed.
“Our choice to introduce fashions that sit above SR5 is having a halo impact on all the HiLux vary Not solely is HiLux Australia’s best-selling car for every of the previous seven years, however its gross sales have additionally by no means been larger in additional than half a century of service.
“In 2017, demand topped 45,000 items for the primary time, and it’s been larger ever since. That features a file 52,801 in 2021 and a brand new excessive of 64,391 final 12 months. This 12 months’s tally will likely be our fourth 12 months above 50,000 items – which additionally confirms that manufacturing and provide of HiLux is certainly wholesome.”
