Look out Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz! Toyota plotting affordable all-electric baby HiLux
Toyota’s USA boss has sparked rumours that the world’s largest car-maker might be secretly readying a production version of its 2023 Toyota EPU Concept that it showed off last year at the Japan Mobility Show.
In a recent interview with US industry journal Automotive News, Toyota North America’s CEO Ted Ogawa said that the carmaker wanted a ‘baby HiLux’ to rival the strong-selling Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz and hinted that such a ute could be battery-powered.
READ MORE:
“We are studying in that area, including the electrification movement,” he said.
“For example, the full-size pick-up, [full] electrification is not good chemistry with these customers. However, in mid-size or smaller size, there is more electrification opportunity compared to the full-size area.
“So for us, it’s one of the opportunities to think about — the smaller size than Tacoma pick-up in the future.”
Admitting talks were well underway with Toyota back in Japan, Owaga said the biggest barrier to green lighting an all-electric compact ute would be its EV tech’s potential high cost.
If it is approved for production, the EPU ute concept is tipped to revive the Toyota Stout nameplate.
When it was revealed back in 2023 in Japan Toyota released limited details of its stylish EPU other than it came with an impressive 725km range.
Measuring in at 5070mm long, 1910mm wide and 1710mm tall, resting on a 3350mm wheelbase, the EPU is considerably shorter than the HiLux (5325mm) yet is wider by 55mm and, notably, has a much longer wheelbase (+265mm).
Inside, instead of stripped-out, work-ready cabin the EPU boasted a yoke steering wheel and unusual asymmetrical twin digital screen configuration with embedded gear shift and park brake toggle controls.
Ogawa wouldn’t be drawn on timings but it’s thought if approved the production version of the EPU concept could land before the end of 2026.
Car-based monocoque-chassis lifestyle utes have a bright future in markets like Australia, with both the next-generation Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz in consideration to be eventually be offered in our market in the future.
