The HiLux
has been a very successful series of pickup trucks sold by Japanese car giant
Toyota in markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South-East Asia and
South America. The Toyota HiLux is currently in its 8th
generation and has sold over 19 million units globally. The HiLux was
first introduced in 1968 when Toyota entered an agreement with Hino Motors of
Japan to jointly manufacture a pickup truck based on the Hino Briska
light-utility vehicle. The first HiLux was powered by a 1.5 L petrol
engine producing 76 bhp of max power output mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox
and had a payload capacity of 1000 kg.
The third generation Toyota HiLux introduced in 1978 saw a line-up of 3 standard-length and 4 long-wheelbase models, hence giving the pickup more versatility. The HiLux now had better ride comfort and car-like specifications. 4-door variants of the HiLux were subsequently added as well. The first 4WD variant of the HiLux was introduced in 1979 and shared some common technology with the Toyota Land Cruiser. Front disc brakes were made standard on the higher-end variants. A 2.2 L diesel engine producing 67 bhp of max power output was added for both the 2-door and 4-door variants.
Australia’s
love affair with the Toyota HiLux goes back a long way. The first HiLux
pickups came to Australian shores in 1968 when Toyota distributor Thiess brought
them to Australia for duty in the mines and various construction projects of
Queensland. In Australia, the HiLux can be found everywhere! Be it mines,
rural parts of the country, construction sites, cattle stations, highways, or
even garages…Toyota HiLux is everywhere. One of the biggest
strengths of the Toyota HiLux is the versatility it offers and it has
been unrivaled in this segment both in Australia and globally. The Toyota HiLux
is the go-to vehicle for anyone who needs to get a load carried to any part of
Australia.
In 1983, the
fourth generation HiLux came with a revised exterior and interior design
and was also available in an extra-cab design (additional space in the
cab/cargo section). The HiLux got a new independent front suspension,
giving better ride and capability in rough terrain. The major changes were seen
in the engines as the new HiLux received 3 diesel engines and a new
turbo-petrol one as well. This gave the HiLux customer a wider range of
options while buying their perfect car. This generation of the Toyota HiLux
was the blueprint for the Toyota 4Runner. The Toyota 4Runner is a
popular SUV manufactured and sold across global markets.
The HiLux
is as reliable and indestructible as they come. This was proved in 2003 when
British TV series Topgear tried multiple ways to ‘kill a Toyota HiLux’.
On the show, a Toyota HiLux was put through a grueling series of tests
to check out how indestructible the car really was. The HiLux was driven
to its limits…through flood, fire, a falling caravan, and a collapsing tower
block; to everyone’s surprise, the HiLux lived through it all and was
still functional to drive!! Now that’s a car which is built to last. The Toyota
HiLux is a high achiever and a vehicle that knows no limits. The HiLux
holds the distinction of being the only vehicle driven to both the North
and South Poles. The HiLux has also participated in the Dakar Rally, one
of the world’s most challenging rallies and has a pretty decent track record at
Dakar too. The Toyota HiLux is the only UV (Utility Vehicle) to top the car
sales charts in Australia.
The HiLux
is a Toyota through and through. Toyota as a brand stands for simplicity,
reliability, efficiency. The HiLux is a great testament to this. These
values have been carefully incorporated into all eight generations of the
Toyota HiLux and the success story is evident for all to see. A key to
the success of the Toyota HiLux in Australia is the fact that Toyota has
understood the customers, market very well, and proactively worked upon the
customer feedback received.
Over the
years the Toyota HiLux has been refined and shaped well into the
stalwart that it is today. The current generation Toyota HiLux was
introduced in 2015 and had sold approx. 16 million units at the time of
introduction. The current generation HiLux is now much stronger,
reliable, and capable as ever and comes loaded with the latest technology. The HiLux
is available in over 30 variants including all body types and powertrain
options. There is a wide array of both petrol and diesel engines on offer. With
such a wide range of variants, Toyota has ensured there is a HiLux for
all types of car buyers.
Is the
pickup truck on its way out? That’s a question which can be hotly debated by
car critics the world over. But, one thing can be certain the Toyota HiLux
is here to stay even in the future. Becoming a vehicle an entire nation
(Australia) swears by is not an easy task…but the Toyota HiLux just
makes it look so easy!