The future is consolidation.
Toyota has been making big waves in the truck industry right now. After a 14-year-long relationship with the previous model, the third generation Tundra was just released. The Tacoma is also available. Although it dates back to 2016, the current generation received minor upgrades for the 2022 model years. The best news is yet to come.
Although the Hilux is similar in size and design, the US-focused Tacoma (and 4Runner) differ from Toyota’s iconic global truck in the 1990s. MotorTrend claims that all Toyota mid-sizes will use a shared platform again for the next generation. This report is not confirmed by MotorTrend, which doesn’t give any source. A Toyota representative said in an email to motor1.com that no such announcement had been made so far, and that the company does not comment on future products.
Although it is unlikely that these models will share the same bones, it is highly unlikely. Toyota has long planned to use its modular global platform to make a range of vehicles. It makes sense to move the Tacoma 4Runner and 4Runner to F1 platform, which is used by the new Tundra as well as the Land Cruiser. It should be a significant cost-savings to take that platform global with Hilux. Hilux currently uses Toyota’s IMV platform.
This is the future of Toyota’s trucks, and SUVs. When will it come to fruition? It is still unknown when this will happen, but it seems plausible that it will be within the next few years. The current-generation Tacoma was introduced in 2016, but it didn’t make a major departure from the Taco in 2005. Both the 4Runner SUV and Tacoma are in the same position, so both models will be getting major updates. Toyota can’t afford to waste another decade slowing down its off-road offerings as the world moves faster towards electrification.