Toyota HiLux News

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular and mainstream in Australia, however many lack a feature that limits their long-distance driving capabilities.And that's a spare wheel. For decades it has been a common-fit item that is extremely handy if you get a puncture out on the open road.What is becoming more popular now, especially in electrified vehicles, is to replace the spare wheel with an inflator kit as this space is usually being taken up by the high-voltage battery.The inflator kits typically include a 12V-powered air compressor and a 'can of goo' which plugs up minor air leaks in the deflating tyre.However, these inflator kits won’t help in every event of a puncture, especially if it’s a more significant one that compromises the tyre sidewall, for example.In these circumstances you’re typically left needing to call a tow truck, which is incredibly painful if you’re away from a town with a tyre repair shop.There aren’t many out there, but here is a rundown of all the new EVs currently available in Australia that have some form of physical spare wheel. The 2027 Chery E5 is the only new EV passenger car in Australia to feature a full-size spare wheel.There is now only one trim level of the E5 (formerly known as the Omoda E5) offered in Australia. It’s priced from $37,990, drive-away.The 2027 GWM Ora 5 has just launched in Australia and it features a space-saver spare wheel across the line-up.At launch two trim levels are on offer, Lux and Ultra, with pricing starting at $33,990, drive-away.The 2027 Hyundai Kona Electric has a space-saver spare wheel available across the line-up.The Kona Electric is offered in five trim levels now and pricing starts at $46,000, before on-road costs.The 2027 Toyota HiLux BEV is the only electric ute currently available in Australia with a spare wheel of any kind. It’s a full-size unit in this case.There are currently three versions of the HiLux BEV offered in Australia, the SR dual-cab chassis, SR dual-cab pick-up and SR5 dual-cab pick-up. Pricing starts at $74,990, before on-road costs.A number of electric commercial vans feature full-size spare wheels as standard.It’s more common for these types of vehicles to feature spare wheels, though they’re not standard in every electric van.A number of companies offer aftermarket spare wheel solutions for many popular EVs, like the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, among others.These kits typically include a space-saver spare wheel, a jack and related tools to get the wheel on and off.As there’s no dedicated spot in the car for this to be stored, this type of kit typically has to go in the boot which sacrifices space for other items.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming much more popular and mainstream in Australia, however one EV category has seemingly faltered before it even properly started.The utility, or ute for short, is an incredibly popular body type in Australia and examples have been the best-selling vehicle for over a decade now, but there have only been a handful of electric utes on offer to date Down Under.The first was the LDV eT60 which launched in late 2022 and was priced from an obscene $92,990 before on-road costs, which was more than double the amount of the standard, turbo-diesel-powered T60 dual-cab ute at the time.The eT60 also only offered 330km of WLTP-claimed range, was rear-wheel drive and had a braked towing capacity of just 1000kg.For context, the most popular utes in Australia offer all-wheel drive, as well as a braked towing capacity around 3500kg.LDV admitted the eT60 was aimed primarily at government and business fleets, with only a minimal number of early adopters expected to fork out the cash for one.Since then only two other electric utes have launched in Australia.The KGM Musso EV launched locally in 2025 and unlike many utes, including the regular turbo-diesel-powered Musso, that have a body-on-frame architecture, it has a monocoque platform which is related to the Actyon and Torres SUVs.As a result the Musso EV is much more car-like to drive, but it still offers all-wheel drive and up to 420km of WLTP-claimed range.This monocoque platform does limit the braked towing capacity to 1800kg though, however payload is up to 905kg, depending on the variant.The Korean ute is limited in its potential as a towing rig and makes it better suited for lighter-duty or lifestyle applications.The most recent addition to the electric ute stable in Australia is arguably the most important yet.Toyota has now introduced an electric version of its popular HiLux ute, dubbed the HiLux BEV.In Australia there are three versions of the HiLux BEV, the SR dual-cab chassis, SR dual-cab pick-up and SR5 dual-cab pick-up.Pricing starts at $74,990 before on-road costs and goes up to $82,990 before on-road costs. Each variant is $17,000 more expensive than the turbo-diesel-powered equivalent.While the HiLux BEV has dual electric motors offering all-wheel drive, it only has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg and up to 345km of NEDC-claimed range, depending on the variant.Similar to how LDV positioned the eT60, Toyota has said the HiLux BEV is primarily aimed at government fleets and mining and construction sectors. Only a sliver of projected sales will be from private buyers.For now that’s all the electric ute options in Australia and none offer the same amount of braked towing capacity as its turbo-diesel-powered equivalent. However, that’s soon set to change.China’s MG is launching an electric version of its U9 dual-cab ute in Australia in the second half of 2026.According to approval documents, the MG U9 EV will offer a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.Power will come from a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 325kW.The full details haven’t been confirmed yet but overseas it's offered with a 102kWh lithium-ion battery pack with up to 430km of range, according to WLTP testing.LDV had previously confirmed that it would launch the eTerron 9, which is an equivalent to the MG U9 EV, in Australia however this has now seemingly fallen off the radar.Beyond this there are no other electric utes that are locked in for an Australian launch currently.Isuzu previously noted that it plans to introduce the D-Max EV in Australia, but it still hasn’t provided any timeline for when.It’s already offered in other markets, like the UK, and offers a 3500kg braked towing capacity and 1000kg payload, but only 263km of WLTP-claimed range.Additionally it’s unlikely that the full-size American electric pick-ups like the Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T will ever come to Australia as demand for these kinds of vehicles is declining in the US and they would need to be re-engineered for right-hand drive applications.This may change with Ford’s upcoming mid-size ute that’s based on its new universal EV platform, as well as the forthcoming Slate small electric ute, but neither are confirmed for right-hand drive production.While all the electric ute options in Australia currently are flawed in some way or another, the sales charts show that punters are still keen on reducing their fuel bills and CO2 footprint with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) utes.The biggest winner thus far is firmly the BYD Shark 6 which is now available in three variants - Dynamic dual-cab chassis, Premium dual-cab pickup and Performance dual-cab pickup.The latter variant offers a benchmark 3500kg braked towing capacity, whereas the others offer a 2500kg braked towing capacity.Depending on the trim, the Shark 6 offers up to 100km of NEDC-claimed electric range.Likely a key reason for its sales success is how much it costs. The line-up starts at $55,990 before on-road costs and extends to $62,990 before on-road costs. This puts it roughly at the same price as mid-spec diesel versions of the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.We’ll have to wait and see whether Australians embrace electric utes, however they’ll likely remain a niche offering for fleets for the time being.

Toyota appears to have given us a peek behind the curtain at just how it would plug-in power its hybrid HiLux workhorse, with reports firming that the new mini HiLux will debut PHEV tech in the brand's ute space.Reportedly codenamed Project 150D, and designed to take on everything from the BYD Mako or Shark 5 to the Ford Maverick, the monocoque ute will reportedly adopt a version of the plug-in hybrid system from the brand's Prius.That would pair a 2.0-litre petrol engine with two electric motors for a total system output of 166kW, while the e-CVT is joined by a second electric motor to enable eFour all-wheel drive.Toyota is reportedly targeting the first half of 2027 for the launch of the mini HiLux.Toyota opening the door to its passenger range for its commercial plug-in options gives the brand some interesting choices for the long-expected plug-in hybrid HiLux, chief among them being the powertrain from the new RAV4 PHEV GR Sport.That model develops a total 227kW, with a 2.5-litre petrol engine joined by two electric motors, which also delivers AWD grip.Toyota has previously confirmed work is underway on PHEV technology that would suit the user case of HiLux, with the brand's former VP of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley saying "you'd never rule it out" when asked at the unveiling of the 2026 range.“Battery technology evolves, and it's evolving quickly. If we can get to a situation where a PHEV has the capability of doing 200-plus kilometres on BEV alone — so in other words, if I've got a HiLux I can just go around town, I can run that on BEV and be carbon-neutral pretty well, providing I'm using renewable energy to do it," Mr Hanley has also previously told CarsGuide.“Now the issue is of course can it tow? Can it take a heavy load? Well, to be able to flick a switch and say, well, for those moments where I'm going out off-road or for those moments where I need to tow a heavy load, I've got the convenience of going to a normal hybrid engine and I can get 500 or 600 kilometres and it's convenient, then I see a role for PHEV in that space.“I think that's some years away, to be honest, that battery technology. But when it comes, PHEVs will have a renewed engagement with the market because they'll go from what I call the ultimate inconvenience to the ultimate convenience.”

A new front in the ongoing ute wars has opened, with fresh reporting that Toyota and BYD will soon have plug-in hybrid ute options sitting beneath the HiLux and Shark 6.The monocoque, or car-based, ute offerings are taking shape in South America, where manufacturers clearly keen to expand beyond the saturated dual-cab market are plotting their next move.That begins with the Mako, expected to be called the BYD Shark 5 in international markets, which will reportedly nab a different plug-in hybrid powertrain to its Shark 6 older brother.In Brazil, the Mako is a plug-in hybrid producing an expected 175kW, and promising a circa-100km EV-only driving range, along with a choice of two- or all-wheel drive.But the Mako is the ocean's fastest shark, and it seems global markets will be sticking true to the name, upping the power to more like 200kW. The powertrain in question will reportedly be borrowed from the Sealion 6 SUV, pairing a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor. Unconfirmed reports of Toyota's smaller ute offering are now emerging from the same region. The ute, based on the Corolla Cross and currently codenamed Project 150D, will reportedly score its own plug-in hybrid system.In huge news for the brand, reports out of Brazil point to the 150D adopting the powertrain from the Toyota Prius, which pairs a 2.0-litre petrol engine with two electric motors.Total system output would be around 166kW, while the e-CVT is joined by a second electric motor to enable eFour all-wheel drive.According to reports, the smaller Toyota ute will launch in South America in the first half of 2027, while the BYD Mako is expected to launch in the final quarter of 2026, giving the Chinese brand a headstart from a global sales perspective.Australian launch timing is at this point unclear, but both Toyota and BYD have said the door is open to ute models below the Shark 6 and HiLux, so watch this space.

Utes are the biggest segment in the Australian car market and have been for years.Among those utes have been some consistently successful ones, but there is a new era emerging to threaten the established pack.Fleets and private buyers are more closely considering the running costs of a predominantly diesel-powered segment.Electrified alternatives are increasingly, but will we see the established pack dislodged this year? With five months worth of sales data to look at, here are the best-selling utes in Australia predicted for 2026. There will be no surprises the Ford Ranger is still sitting at the top of this list. It continues to hold the title for the best-selling ute in Australia, despite a year-on-year decrease. Ford has already shifted more than 20,000 units, which is more than any other rival so far.The Ranger recently saw the popular 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel variant phased out, with Ford providing a cheaper single turbo unit as well as wider availability of the popular 3.0-litre V6 engine, and the brand has also added a range of unique Super Duty variants to bolster its line-up.The HiLux has also held onto its second-place spot up to April and will be expected to carry on this momentum, despite it, too, experiencing year-on-year drops. It still holds a clear lead over the rest of the chasing pack, with more than 17,000 sales so far this year, no doubt helped along by the arrival of the new-generation version late last year. Toyota will launch an electric version of the HiLux later on this year, to complement the current diesel-only range.BYD’s plug-in hybrid ute has well and truly garnered the attention of buyers, especially in a market where fuel prices are a primary consideration.The Shark 6 was one of the only utes to experience growth in 2025 and it has carried on this form into this year, and is on track to surge past the Isuzu D-Max in the coming months.With more than 6000 sales already in 2026, the ute is BYD’s second-best selling model, highlighting its importance to the brand’s top-two spot for April.BYD has added two new variants to the Shark 6 in 2026. A cab-chassis, and a new performance variant, which pushes towing capacity up to 3500kg.These new variants could open up new buyers for the ute Down Under, and push it up the standings further.The D-Max ute has sold steadily compared to April 2025, 4x2 variants picking up a solid boost so far, while the 4x4 variants are down. Based on its more than 8000 sales so far, we can expect the D-Max to stay on track for a finish in the top five, even though the Mitsubishi Triton is fast approaching. An electric version of the D-Max is also not out of the question for the brand, with it recently launching in Thailand alongside mild hybrid variants.The Triton has experienced a resurgent run on the sales charts so far in 2026, with more than 8000 sales, compared to around 7000 up to May 2025.Based on this start, you can expect the Triton to be in around the top places again come the end of the year. Mitsubishi recently unveiled a hardcore version of the ute called the Triton Raider, which has received specific tuning from Aussie engineering company Premcar. It is not a limited edition, and the brand is no doubt hoping it will help continue its renewed push up the sales charts.

Toyota fires a cheeky shot across the bow of BYD.

Toyota has just unveiled a game-changing upgrade to its HiLux ute, which puts the Ford Ranger Super Duty in its sights. A factory-fitted GVM upgrade priced from $4000 will now be available on some HiLux models.It will boost payload by 372kg to 435kg, increasing the ute's maximum possible payload to roughly 1525kg. While the Ranger Super Duty maintains a superior payload of 1982kg, this upgrade brings Toyota's best-selling ute into closer competition.The towing capacity remains at 3500kg, while the Super Duty can handle 4500kg.This upgrade will only be available on select 4x4 grades of the HiLux, which are the WorkMate double cab-chassis, WorkMate double-cab pick-up, SR Extra cab-chassis, SR double cab-chassis, SR double-cab pick-up and SR5 double-cab pick-up.This means the minimum starting price for a GVM-upgraded HiLux is $56,490 (before on-road costs), substantially cheaper than the Super Duty at $80,000-plus. Longer monotube rear shock absorbers are fitted as part of the Hilux's GVM upgrade, increasing ride height by up to 10mm.GVM upgrades also usually involve beefing up other suspension elements to support greater load-bearing capacity. Axle capacities for the upgrades have increased by 100kg on the front and 280kg on the rear, giving the ute greater sturdiness. These modified HiLux models will maintain Toyota's five-year manufacturer warranty after the upgrades have been carried out, unlike some aftermarket alternatives. The GVM upgrade uses genuine Toyota parts, as opposed to external ones, such as on the Ford Ranger with 4WD brand ARB. The brand said the tune has been developed by the local Toyota Australia branch. Existing HiLux models and those which are already on order will not be eligible for the warranty-backed upgrade, with it being a factory-installed option.These HiLux models will still have the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 150kW and 500Nm. The upgrade will be available from August of this year.

The car landscape has dramatically changed in the past 10 years, with new brands entering the fray and dynamic market conditions shifting buyer wants.Data from 2016 shows how different the cars were captivating the attention of Aussies only a decade ago.The Toyota HiLux led the way, and the Ford Ranger was not far behind, but there was a theme of hatchbacks dominating the other top places. The Toyota Corolla took out second place, while the Hyundai i30 was in third and the Mazda3 sat in fifth. Toyota continued to feature down the list with the Camry sedan, followed by the Australian built Holden Commodore. Further down list, the SUV revolution can be seen to take shape in Australia, starting with the Mazda CX-5. After the Mitsubishi Triton ute in ninth place, there were three SUVs in the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-3.The best-selling brands in 2016 has changed a lot compared to today. Toyota is still parked up at the top of the charts, but several big names have now been replaced by Chinese carmakers.Mazda and Hyundai occupied second and third, while Holden secured fourth. The Japanese duo of Mitsubishi and Nissan followed next, with Volkswagen being the only European brand in the top 10 after that. Subaru came ninth in the standings, with Kia finishing in 10th, highlighting the brand’s rapid development in Australia. Top selling cars 2016 Top selling brands 2016 In 2021, there were clear changes to the market, but also some consistent themes.The HiLux and Ranger duopoly was in full swing at the top of the standings, with Toyota’s ute still edging Ford’s.Third position showed SUVs were taking over as the RAV4 picked up a huge chunk of sales.There were still examples of a past market, with the i30 and the Toyota Corolla hatches sandwiching the D-Max ute.Further down, SUVs increase their presence further, with the Mazda CX-5, Toyota Prado and MG ZS all making up the top 10, along with the Triton ute. Pure internal combustion power remained a dominant player, with best-sellers such as the RAV4 and Corolla still yet to make its full hybrid transition. Top selling cars 2021 Toyota was still on top as a brand in Australia, while Mazda and Hyundai continued their holding in the top three. Ford was hot on the heels of Hyundai, followed by Kia which had surged up the sales charts in five years to claim a spot in the top five. Mitsubishi and Nissan still occupied high places in the standings as did Volkswagen. The big shift was the appearance of the only Chinese brand in the top 10, in MG. This foreshadowed what we see today where BYD is fast approaching a potential top-two finish in Australia.Subaru picked up a 10th place finish. Top selling brands 2021 Fast forward to 2026, and only three top 10 sellers from 2016 remain. The Ranger and HiLux continue their battle at the top of the standings, but they are in decline.Some unfamiliar names a few years ago are emerging as top choices for Aussie motorists.The Chery Tiggo 4 small SUV has emerged as the best-selling SUV in 2026 to date.Hyundai's Kona is next on the list followed by the D-Max Ute.Mitsubishi's Outlander large SUV is sitting sixth, while the long-awaited launch of the new Toyota RAV4 has resulted in a burst of sales for the popular family car.The Mazda CX-5 remains a regular feature at the top of the sales charts, with GWM's Haval Jolion sitting in ninth currently.Rounding out the top 10 is Ford Everest.This data only represents the first four months of the year, but it does show the general trends of where the market is headed.Top selling cars 2026 (up to April)Top selling brands 2026 (up to April)There are no surprises in the top four best-selling brands so far, with Toyota out in front, followed by Mazda, Kia and Ford.A monster month from BYD has pushed the Chinese giant brand into fifth, overtaking Hyundai. This is despite the brand not having a single car in the top 10 best sellers.The final four highlight the success of Chinese brands in Australia as GWM, Chery and MG are all present, along with Mitsubishi.Former mainstays Nissan, Subaru and Volkswagen are gone, and Holden has closed up shop completely.

Chinese car makers should take note: Toyota is the big boss in the Australian car industry game and its just-launched new-generation RAV4 mid-sized SUV will lead the Japanese fight back.The latest industry sales data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and EV Council suggests Chinese-sourced cars are poised to overtake their Japanese rivals in Australia for the country-of-origin title for 2026.Year-to-date sales (until the end of March) of new cars in Australia show that 77,695 cars sold were made in China (some imported by , while 71,596 were produced in Japan.That’s a 51.4 per cent increase compared to the same quarter last year for China, and a 25.4 per cent decrease for Japan.So, is this it for the Japanese giants? Is this the beginning of a fall from being the world’s largest automotive powerhouse and the country that makes the cars Aussies have bought the most for decades?Not yet, and nobody should underestimate Toyota’s strength. Because while it is clear other Japanese brands such as Honda and Suzuki have seen better days in Australia, Toyota is not about to roll over.If anything, the company has a few aces up its sleeve and one of them is the RAV4.The new-generation RAV4 just launched here in Australia in April and it’s Toyota’s not-so-secret weapon to win back Australians. In 2025 the RAV4 was the second best-selling vehicle in Australia, behind the Ford Ranger ute.That is not bad for a car which had been on sale since 2018 and was competing against much more modern, newer SUVs.The new-generation RAV4 is likely to become the number-one best-selling car in Australia in 2026.Speaking at the launch of the new RAV4, Toyota Australia CEO John Pappas announced his expectations for the SUV’s sales and said that the orders even early on were high.“Before we wholesaled the car, we had about 10,000 orders already taken,” Pappas said.“So that gives us a good indication on the demand at that early point before actually launching it.“We expect to do around 40,000 this year and then next year, we expect to do over 50,000 RAVs.”It’s a realistic number that Toyota will almost certainly hit and possibly sail past.In 2025 51,947 RAV4s were sold when it came home second in the annual sales race.The closest mid-size SUV rivals to the RAV4 in 2025 were the Mazda CX-5 (22,742 units sold), Mitsubishi Outlander (22,459), Tesla Model Y (22,239) and Hyundai Tucson (20,145).Chinese rivals such as the BYD Sealion 7 (13,410 units sold in 2025) and GWM Haval H6 (13,217) are far behind RAV4 and may not ever reach sales as high as the 50,000 Toyota expects from its mid-size SUV.The combination of Toyota’s RAV4 and its new HiLux ute, plus other popular Toyota favourites such as the Corolla, Corolla Cross, Yaris Cross Camry, Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series should comfortably see Toyota as the best-selling brand again for this year.Last year Toyota sold 239,863 vehicles in Australia, making it the best-selling car brand for 2025. And compared to its Japanese cousins such as Honda, Nissan Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, Isuzu and Mazda, Toyota is doing the heavy lifting — with those seven others accounting for a combined 300,695 sales. That’s a total of 540,558 Japanese made cars sold in Australia last year.Could the Chinese competitors outdo this with their own combined tally? The monthly sales figures for 2026 say they will and this year could be that tipping point year. But RAV4 and Hilux could stop them.Ask the same question this time next year and it’s almost certain that if the Chinese brands continue their seemingly unstoppable march, the Japanese will be beaten. The battle is not just about high volumes, but in the case of Chinese car makers it’s the vast number of different brands (22 at last count) and the proliferation of models – especially affordable electric ones. Yes, 2026 could be the last year that the Japanese brands rule Australia and a lot hinges on the RAV4’s success this year, otherwise the Chinese win might just come earlier.

Toyota is currently experiencing a rare sales dip in Australia, but is it a longer-term issue or just a temporary blip?As the world’s biggest carmaker - and Australia’s number one brand for the past 23 years - you can bet the Japanese giant isn’t just sitting back and waiting for new and old rivals to pounce.Toyota sales were down by 19.3 per cent in March, compared with the same month last year. It still sold 16,574 vehicles, more than double that of second-placed Kia (7320).Brand T finished quarter one with 44,490 units sold, which is a hefty 23 per cent down on the same quarter in 2025.But before you start writing Toyota’s obituary, there are some clear reasons for the drop. The changeover of its two biggest sellers is the main reason. The new RAV4 is now officially on sale but Toyota sold so many of them at the end of last year they didn’t have enough old stock to cover the gap to the new model.That’s why RAV4 sales are down a whopping 72.2 per cent in the first three months of the year.Similarly, Toyota was waiting on some variants of its heavily revised new HiLux ute to come on stream and that’s only just happening now. Sales of the ute took a while to ramp up following its introduction late last year, but it’s now steady, with 4x4 versions only down by 3.3 per cent year to date.Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, John Pappas, said that official VFACTS sales figures don’t tell the whole story, and painted a better picture for the rest of the year.“Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, as HiLux and RAV4 volumes increase, our monthly results will begin to increase as the year progresses. And whilst VFACTS tells you what has been delivered, it doesn't tell you the full story. What VFACTS doesn't show is customer demand, which remains very strong across the range, particularly with vehicles like LandCruiser 300, HiLux, LandCruiser Prado and, of course, the RAV4.”April will be the new-generation RAV4’s first full month on sale so we will wait and see what the sales figures are come the end of this month.Other popular models with big sales declines include the Kluger (-33.3% YTD), Prado (-46.5%) and Yaris Cross (-18.5%), but other models are enjoying renewed interest.The LandCruiser is up a massive 216 per cent year on year, while the Corolla Cross SUV and HiAce van are in positive territory too. But the biggest surprise is the bZ4X.Toyota's first fully electric car benefited from an update that rolled out a couple of months ago and it has helped turn its sales fortunes around. Following the original version’s launch in early 2024, the EV has been a middling seller, playing second fiddle to a bunch of cheaper, largely Chinese EVs of a similar size.But in March, Toyota sold 447 units, a 598.4 per cent increase. It’s up 300 per cent year to date.Pappas said the updated car had been very well received and added that Toyota expected to sell 5000 examples in 2026. That’s a massive increase from the 1041 it sold for the entirety of last year.The bZ4X will get a further boost from the ‘Touring’ wagon version that is expected to land later this year. Other new low-emission vehicles include the HiLux BEV in quarter two and the RAV4 plug-in hybrid later in 2026.Other new models like the electric C-HR won’t arrive until mid-2027, while Toyota is still yet to confirm if it will launch the all-electric Highlander in Australia. The seven-seat SUV could be a rival for the Kia EV9, if it gets the green light.Other models that Toyota has not confirmed but could be on the radar include the Grand Highlander, which could replace the ageing Kluger, as well as the US-sourced Tacoma pick-up to fill the gap between the HiLux and upper-large Tundra.Toyota also builds a number of EVs in China with joint venture partners GAC, FAW and even BYD. Models like the bZ3 sedan, bZ7 and bX3X crossover are comparatively more affordable than Japan-sourced electric models.Pappas did not rule out importing Chinese-made Toyota models for Australia,“The beautiful thing about being such a global organisation, where you’re represented in 190 countries, and you've got so many manufacturing sources around the world, it really does open us up to having those options available if they become available to us,” he said.“So we're always looking at those types of things. And… I go back to making sure they suit the requirements of the customer. And if they do that, then we're open to looking at those types of avenues.”Japanese rival Mazda has just launched two EVs built in China with its joint-venture partner Changan, while Mitsubishi will offer the Foxconn EV in Australia soon. Nissan is also believed to be considering a number of models for Australia from its partnership with Dongfeng.