Toyota HiAce lagging behind

The best-selling Japanese van now lags behind the Hyundai iLoad and Mercedes-Benz Vito van for crash safety. Both the iLoad and Vito rated well in recent Australian New Car Assessment Program crash testing. The iLoad scored four-stars and the Vito five-stars, the first local commercial to get the top mark. However, the HiAce, launched in 2005, managed just three stars when it was tested in 2006.

The company's senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner, admits that the HiAce needs attention. "We do have a plan to introduce increased safety technology into all our vehicles," he says. "Given that commercial has always been such a stronghold for us we can't sit back. We have to watch it very closely and keep Japan informed to ensure that we have those developments."

Buttner is keen to see the HiAce either match or exceed its competition in crash safety. Toyota is the dominant local player in the light commercial van sales. This year it has sold 4585 HiAces and last year it blitzed its opposition with 9493 sold to businesses and private operators.

The HiAce has dual airbags but unlike the five-star Vito, no curtain airbags or electronic stability control and anti-skid brakes are an option. The iLoad gets dual airbags and anti-skid brakes as standard. Buttner denied that Toyota's commercial vehicles were being overtaking in the safety stakes. "We're not standing still," he says. "I can't always tell you everything you'd like to know."

Toyota has however, just upgraded safety equipment on its venerable 70 Series ute. The trusty workhorse now has a driver and passenger airbag but anti-skid brakes are still not available. Buttner says Toyota is looking at anti-skid brakes for the rural favourite but some rural customers had expressed concerned they should be able to switch it off for farm work. "We have some concerns from some customers," he says. "We're focused on that but there is no timetable."

Toyota Australia leads the push for the dual airbags in the 70 Series."It's expensive development in that proven chassis," Buttner said. Engineers had to change the ute's steering rack angle and lengthen the front bumper to be more compatible with the airbags' deployment cycle. A side benefit is that the new four-spoke steering wheel is now adjustable for reach.

Prices for the seven-model 70 Series range have risen $600, or about 1 per cent, because of the extra safety kit. The range starts from $57,640 for the cab-chassis, $58,540 for the wagon and $64,540 for the troop carrier.