This is the third of four features which look at the divisions, brands and OEMs in Toyota Motor Corporation’s orbit. After Lexus, then Daihatsu & Perodua, Just-Auto’s future models focus on TMC now moves to Toyota’s own-brand models.
SUVs & crossovers
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In March 2019, Suzuki and Toyota stated that Vitara Brezza production by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM: the Japanese giant’s local joint venture) would commence from 2022. However, those plans changed.
In December 2020, Maruti Suzuki (MSIL) told the Bombay Stock Exchange that rather than have TKM manufacture the Vitara Brezza, it would instead be a different model. This 4.2-4.3 m long SUV for India will use Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) and be built at TKM’s Bidadi Plant 2 in Karnataka.
The current Brezza may stay in production for a year or so after the arrival of the new Suzuki and Toyota SUVs, each of which will have its own body and compete with the other, in the same way that the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos do.
Until earlier today, the Corolla Cross – an increasingly important model globally – had been available in many markets but Japan was not one of them. Local build is about to get underway at the Takaoka factory in Toyama prefecture and the launch is imminent.
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By GlobalDataThe first plant to manufacture this C segment crossover was Gateway in Thailand’s Chachoengsao province. Production commenced on 13 July 2020, with TTMC also announcing the car to the media on the same day as HQ in Japan publicised it.
In January, Toyota stated that its Prospecton plant in South Africa would also be making this model from October. This is not only for the domestic market but other RHD countries in Africa as well as LHD ones on that continent.
Neither Toyota Motor Sales USA nor Toyota Motor Europe mentioned the Corolla Cross in any official press statements during July 2020. However, a version for North America was announced in June, fresh for the 2022 model year, this being the first Toyota model which to be built at a new JV with Mazda.
The companies have erected a greenfield plant in Huntsville for the production of two SUVs with 150,000 units of each to be produced there each year. The plant, which should have around 4,000 workers, opens later in 2021. The official name of the JV is Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A., Inc. (MTMUS).
The 4,460 mm long Corolla Cross is positioned above the C-HR and below the RAV4 in relevant markets. It is also offered as a hybrid in many countries.
Initially, the only non-hybrid engine was TMC’s 1,798 cc 2ZR-FBE, with stated outputs of 103 kW (140 PS) and 177 Nm. The transmission is what Toyota calls a ‘Super CVT-i’. The Corolla Cross for North America is instead powered by a 169 horsepower 2.0-litre engine, drive going to either the front or both axles via a CVT.
The Australian importer also announced this model on the same July 2020 day as TMC and TMMT but noted in its media release that the car would not be on sale locally until “late 2022“.
The Corolla Cross should be facelifted in 2024 and replaced in 2027/2028.
TMC of course also has electric SUVs and crossovers although so far these are few in number and restricted mainly to China. That’s set to change in 2022.
The company has developed a dedicated architecture for battery-electric vehicles in partnership with Subaru. This platform is for models in the C, D, and E segments. The first of these will be all-wheel drive Compact SUVs for the Subaru (Solterra) and Toyota (bZ4X) brands, each being due for launch towards the middle of next year.
The letters b and Z (‘Beyond Zero’) plus the number and an X for all-wheel drive applications is TMC’s naming system for certain future EVs. This first one was previewed by a concept of the same name revealed at the Shanghai motor show in April. The company says the production will be built in both Japan and China.
The bZ4X will likely gain the solid-state cells which TMC recently stated it hoped to be fitting to its EVs and hybrids from 2025 or soon after.
The new Crown Kluger is a special model for China. Aside from a crown logo on the grille, this 5,015 mm long hybrid SUV is all but identical in appearance to the Toyota Highlander/Kluger.
A 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine plus a single motor provide a combined 141 kW (192 PS) of power, driving through a CVT.
Due to the Highlander for China being manufactured by GAC Toyota, the Crown Kluger is part of the rival FAW Toyota joint venture. The first series production examples rolled off the line on 16 August. There should be a facelift in 2024 and a successor in 2028.
As the USA will again be the main market, the sixth generation 4Runner is likely to be revealed at the 2022 State Fair of Texas. It should be new for North America’s 2023 model year.
Like the current model, the next 4Runner will have a ladder frame chassis and be related to the Tundra pick-up. Insiders have stated that a hybrid biturbo V6 could be either standard or optional.
The successor for the even larger Sequoia is also due in CY2022. The 660B series model has been delayed several times. Production will be at TMMTX in San Antonio. Building this big SUV at the Texas factory means that the same frame platform as the new Tundra is almost a certainty.
Pick-ups
The Land Cruiser 70 Series (‘Land Cruiser 76’ and ‘Land Cruiser 79 pick-up’ in some markets) dates to 1984. This, the first LC to have coil-sprung rear suspension, was discontinued in Japan during the 2000s before being reintroduced in August 2014 as a special edition.
There was a facelift in February 2007, while Toyota’s first diesel V8, a 4.5-litre unit, also premiered in the revised 70 Series. A 4.2-litre petrol straight six was the original engine but 1GR-FE, a 4.0-litre V6, has also featured.
The LC79 Double Cab was specifically developed for Australia’s mine operators. In pits, the vehicles and their owners have to cope with extreme dust in the dry and thick mud in the wet. As with the similarly elderly Mercedes-Benz Unimog, some vehicles are also fitted with rail arms to travel on train tracks.
The 70 Series range consists of four body styles: 76 Series Wagon, 79 Series Single Cab and Double Cab and 78 Series Troop Carrier. The eventual replacement isn’t due until perhaps 2024.
Hilux/HiLux generation eight appeared in 2015. Despite there having been two facelifts, a third round of engine and styling revisions could take place in 2023. If that happens, we can expect generation nine in 2026.
Under a different scenario, the mid-2020 facelift might instead have been the final one, in which case, a new Hilux should appear in 2023. A hybrid powertrain is also expected and possibly, an electric one. The platform will be TMC’s imminent GA-F.
As for the Tacoma, which is sold mainly in North America and was new in CY2015, its GA-F architecture successor (code: 920B) will probably be launched for the 2025 model year. By then GM, Ford, Stellantis and Rivian will probably have EVs in this segment so electric power – at least as an option – should be available for the Toyota too.
The next Tundra gains fresh engines and a new frame: TNGA-F or GA-F for short. Toyota released one exterior image in June (above) but no other details. In August it was confirmed that the back end will have coils instead of the leaf springs of the existing model. The new truck is set for a sales launch in the fourth quarter.
A hybrid variant is also expected. There have also been claims that a Cummins diesel will be optional. The engine specialist supplied Nissan with a 5.0-litre V8 for the Titan until CY2019. There is presently no (gasoline) V6 engine in the Tundra, the former one having been discontinued at the end of the model year. That should change when the new model arrives.
Build may endure for a full decade, which would mean no facelift until the 2027 model year. At that point, if not sooner, a Tundra BEV should appear.
Reports for many other manufacturers’ future models are grouped in the OEM product strategy summaries section of Just Auto. That includes Toyota crossovers, SUVs and pick-ups not detailed in this report.
Future platform intelligence
More detail on past, current and forthcoming models can be found in PLDB, the future vehicles database which is part of GlobalData’s Automotive Intelligence Center.
This is the third of four reports looking into what’s likely to be ahead for Toyota Motor Corporation’s brands and divisions plus the majority owned Daihatsu Motor Company. Lexus came first, followed by an exploration of future Daihatsu and Perodua models. The final chapter will be about Toyota cars and MPVs/minivans.
