Toyota in Australia has left the door open for the long-rumoured HiLux Mini to launch in our market, with one of the brand's most senior executives telling the media "there's always space for something".
Toyota has long been thought to be working on a Corolla Cross-based monocoque pickup truck that would take on America's more car-like utes like the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick.
Late last year, Toyota in Argentina reportedly told dealers the model would launch in 2027, and would feature petrol-hybrid power initially before switching to an all-electric powertrain later in its model life.
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The model would be based on Toyota's EPU concept first revealed at the Tokyo Mobility Show in 2023.
Then earlier this year, Cooper Ericksen – head of planning and strategy for Toyota Motor North America – told local outlet MotorTrend the mini HiLux was case of when, not if
“Decisions have been made. The question is when we can slot it in. It’s not a matter of ‘if,’ at this point,” he said. "We’ve studied it a lot. We’re dedicated to it. We’re going to figure out how to make it work. My hope is that you will see it very soon but there are a lot of moving pieces.”
And while Toyota in Australia says it has no immediate plan to launch a HiLux Mini Down Under, its executives concede there is space for it in the Australian market.
"There's always space for something," said Toyota Australia's VP of sales and marketing, Sean Hanley, before adding "but there's no plan for it."
Perhaps most shocking is the latest twist in this tale, with well-placed Japanese outlet Best Car reporting the new model, despite being city-focused, would adopt the LandCruiser badge and would launch in 2027.
The model, the site says, would appeal to "youth" and "the city" rather than the bush.
