Toyota Motor Corporation, which is a big name in the world of vehicles, is now thinking of bringing a new Compact Pickup Truck in America. This step is to compete with small trucks such as Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Recently U.S. of Toyota Chief, Mark Templin told Bloomberg that the company is exploring such a truck possibilities. People in America want trucks that are cheap and eat less petrol. In 2024 of Ford Maverick, 131,142 vehicles were sold, which makes it clear how popular the segment is.
This new truck of Toyota will probably be an unibody design like Ford Maverick. It may be made on Toyota's TNGA-C platform, which is already being used in Corolla and Corolla Cross. Some people say Toyota may add Hybrid engine to it, as it was shown in its EPU concept. This will not only save petrol, but will also attract customers prioritizing the environment. But yet Toyota has not given any confirmed news of its price, features or launch date.
The success of Ford Maverick has brightened this segment. Its initial price is around $ 28,145 and gives mileage up to 40 MPG. On the other hand, Hyundai Santa Cruz did not run so much that Toyota could get a chance. Toyota's Tacoma Midsize Truck is already a hit, but its price starts at $ 31,590, which is more than Mavirack. If Toyota brings a cheap compact truck, it can draw customers who are looking for something in the budget.
Toyota has earlier built compact trucks, such as Stout, but recently its focus has been on big trucks. Since 2022, there were reports that Toyota was building a Mack-like truck, and in 2024, its engineers were seen searching for Maverick and Santa Cruz. Nevertheless, CEO Ted Ogawa of Toyota Motor North America said in May last year that he has no such plan. Now from the new statement of Mark Templin, it seems that the company is taking this idea again seriously.
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Demand of small Pickup Trucks is increasing in the US, and Toyota's arrival in this segment can be a big deal. But rules such as 25% of Import Tariff, which affect Mexican-Made Maverick, can become obstruction for Toyota. If Toyota makes this truck in the US, such as Corolla or Corolla Cross, the price can keep the price low. Now it remains to be seen whether Toyota will bring back the stout or launch a new model. At the moment, this news is big for American drivers who want reliable and cheap trucks.