Feb. 18, 2019
Manila, Philippines, February 18, 2019―Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) announces today it has unveiled in the Philippines its first new Hiace model designed for overseas markets.
The new Hiace is built on a special revised platform that not only greatly enhances comfort and achieves advanced-level safety, but is extremely durable with excellent basic performance, making it suitable both for customers’ daily lives and for business.
In emerging markets, where the automobile market has continued to expand throughout approximately the last decade, demand has risen for passenger transportation including tourist minibuses, private buses, and vehicles for use in logistics. The new Hiace has been developed to be able to flexibly respond to these diverse needs.
Following launch in the Philippines, the new model is to be gradually introduced in other countries and regions, with a focus on emerging markets. The current Hiace model will continue to be sold in Japan as-is, due to the different local market environment.
“The Hiace was developed using the key words of “Hiace Pride,” and from the concept of being a faithful partner that makes people feel safe, satisfied, and proud. Owners, drivers, and passengers know they are in good hands when they own, drive, and ride in a Hiace,” commented Chief Engineer Takuo Ishikawa, who was responsible for development.
Since the launch of the first-generation Hiace in 1967, it has become one of Toyota’s representative global vehicles, with more than 6.24 million units sold in over 150 countries. The Hiace demonstrates prowess through its high durability and reliability, and has been used as a van, a minibus, and as private transportation. Currently, it is largely sold in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, Mexico, and Latin America.
(Variations in specifications possible depending on target market)
*Click here for the list of seating layouts.
The Hiace comes with Toyota Safety Sense and achieves performance equivalent to five stars in the Euro NCAP.
