Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation
The Japanese automaker is going to make life so much easier and cooler for some folks in Thailand. It just introduced the series production IMV 0 as the new Hilux Champ customizable pickup truck for the equivalent of just $13k!
There were so many important launches from Toyota this year I am afraid to start counting them because I might miss a crucial model like the first-ever 2024 Grand Highlander, next-gen C-HR, N400 Tacoma, 2024 Land Cruiser (Prado or 250 in some regions), or the 2025 Camry and Crown Sedan or Signia crossover SUV. There were also countless special editions, model-year upgrades, facelifts, as well as concept cars.
We would all love to see the Land Cruiser Se duke it out in the EV field with the Tesla Model Y, but we are also happy to announce that another project just got the green light for production and even launched in one of its intended markets. Not long ago, Toyota revealed the IMV 0 concept pickup truck as a compact and highly versatile little vehicle that looked like it could quickly recapture the charm of the Stout model.
For sure, a lot of Toyota fans would have loved to see the IMV 0 take to the United States roads, too, but it was obviously something destined for emerging markets – a pickup truck that is back to basics with old-school charm, versatility, and durability. Well, now we're even sadder that this project might forever remain a forbidden fruit instead of giving the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz a pocket-sized run for their money – Toyota just announced its production-version name and also launched it in its first market, Thailand.
Toyota Motor Thailand just held an introduction event on November 27 for the IMV 0, which was last seen at the inaugural Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo just last month – only now it's called Hilux Champ, has a variety of models, and orders for the model are also accepted. There is more good news – pricing is confirmed, and it's mind-blowingly cheap, from 459 to 577k baht, which is the fantastic equivalent of $13k to around $16,450!
That is decidedly hard to believe in this inflation-rich climate when even the cheapest Toyota – the 2024 Corolla Sedan – kicks off at almost $22k in America. Developed while Akio Toyoda (now Chairman of the Board) was also CEO of the Asia Region, the IMV series involved "local engineers in the spirit of genchi-genbutsu, in hopes of contributing to the Asian economy together with the people of Asia."
The new Hilux Champ is not only basic, rugged, and cheap – but also highly customizable. At launch, Thai customers will select between 11 custom models across eight grades, with short and long wheelbases and three engine choices. The latter include 2.0-liter and 2.7-liter mills, as well as the option of a 2.4-liter diesel powertrain. Cool, right?
We would all love to see the Land Cruiser Se duke it out in the EV field with the Tesla Model Y, but we are also happy to announce that another project just got the green light for production and even launched in one of its intended markets. Not long ago, Toyota revealed the IMV 0 concept pickup truck as a compact and highly versatile little vehicle that looked like it could quickly recapture the charm of the Stout model.
For sure, a lot of Toyota fans would have loved to see the IMV 0 take to the United States roads, too, but it was obviously something destined for emerging markets – a pickup truck that is back to basics with old-school charm, versatility, and durability. Well, now we're even sadder that this project might forever remain a forbidden fruit instead of giving the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz a pocket-sized run for their money – Toyota just announced its production-version name and also launched it in its first market, Thailand.
Toyota Motor Thailand just held an introduction event on November 27 for the IMV 0, which was last seen at the inaugural Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo just last month – only now it's called Hilux Champ, has a variety of models, and orders for the model are also accepted. There is more good news – pricing is confirmed, and it's mind-blowingly cheap, from 459 to 577k baht, which is the fantastic equivalent of $13k to around $16,450!
That is decidedly hard to believe in this inflation-rich climate when even the cheapest Toyota – the 2024 Corolla Sedan – kicks off at almost $22k in America. Developed while Akio Toyoda (now Chairman of the Board) was also CEO of the Asia Region, the IMV series involved "local engineers in the spirit of genchi-genbutsu, in hopes of contributing to the Asian economy together with the people of Asia."
The new Hilux Champ is not only basic, rugged, and cheap – but also highly customizable. At launch, Thai customers will select between 11 custom models across eight grades, with short and long wheelbases and three engine choices. The latter include 2.0-liter and 2.7-liter mills, as well as the option of a 2.4-liter diesel powertrain. Cool, right?
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