Akio Toyoda says launch is over a year away

The funky looking thing on the left is supposed to be anew affordable and versatile base for, what will likely give rise to a range of products that will likely include pick-up, MPV, van and maybe even loght weight truck.

Toyota is a master of coming with these platforms that can be coerced to produce many different types of vehicles and that IMV concept is certainly an interesting option.

Of course on the right side is an electric Hilux, which could be another hit for Toyota if they can put it to production wuickly enough because fleet owners will likely want to capitalise on the various incentives and lower maintenance and operating costs of electric vehicles.

Although, it must be said that Thailand’s pickup owners may not be considered typical because they tend to add all sorts of different baodywork or at least fencing to allow them to carry way more than you could ever imagine.

Electric pickups drivers will see their range deteriorate with excess load and they may not want to ahve to wait half an hour to recharge their vehicle.

So while individual owners who run farms or small businesses may not be the ones who will buy this machine, fleet operators like utilities or delivery companies may find use for an electric vehicle from a brand they trust.

Let’s face it, while China has the production capacity, they are low on consumer confidence, that may slow their entry into new markets.

Having said that, the uptake of BYD Atto 3 in Thailand where they sold 5,000 units on the first day of launch and the Ora Good Cat racking up nearly 5,000 sales in the first year shows that EV buyers may be willing to forgo brand if they can get their hands on one.

The IMV O was presented at the 60th birthday of Toyota Thailand.

Akio was particularly taken by the Royal Family and King Rama 9 in particular for showing confidence in the brand during Toyota’s time of diificulty when they were had a massive recall in 2010.

Thailand is Toyota’s production base for global export of the Hilux and the Kingdom is generally the global production base of small pickup trucks for most brands.