2025 Toyota Tundra launch on track, despite looming emissions standard

The 2025 Toyota Tundra full-size pick-up truck remains on track for Australian introduction, despite the federal government’s proposed tough new CO2 reduction standard.

Toyota Australia has made it plain how threatened it sees its heavy-duty SUV and ute models by the looming National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), but insists it still intends to launch the Tundra ute into the marketplace.

There are currently 300 customer evaluation Tundras being rolled out to selected members of the public.

The Tundra is being converted locally to right-hand drive by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG), which also contracts to do the same job on the RAM and Chevrolet Silverado full-size pick-ups.

The Ford F-150, which has had a troubled rollout, is being converted to right-hand drive locally by RMA Automotive Australia.

The Tundra is due on sale in Australia in early 2025 and will be available only in the mid-spec Limited specification, powered by a 3.4-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol V6 hybrid.

Pricing is expected to hover around the $140,000 mark.

It is expected to be the first full-size US 4x4 pick-up to go on sale here with hybrid fuel-saving tech. The other models use petrol V8 (RAM, Chev) or twin-turbo V6 (Ford) petrol engines.

“The Tundra evaluation program with customers continues as planned,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson told carsales.

“Pending its successful conclusion, our intention is to introduce Tundra i-FORCE Max to our line-up.”

However, Toyota also made it clear the NVES was being watched for potential impacts.

“As always, we carefully consider all relevant factors when making decisions on our product portfolio, including customer demand, competition and the laws and regulations under which we operate,” the spokesperson said.

While not specifically addressing Tundra at the recent launch of its first electric vehicle, the 2024 Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley was clear about the threat NVES posed to the brand’s top-selling SUV and ute line-up.

“The proposed transition timing is too quick, the trajectory too steep – especially for large four-wheel drive and SUVs and light-commercial vehicles,” he said.

Toyota has called for the NVES to be delayed and for emissions limits for large SUVs to be eased.

Independent assessment by automotive data analytics experts Blue Flag has identified Toyota along with Ford and Mazda as brands that will find it most difficult to hit NVES emissions standards.

Full-size US pick-ups have proved a big sales success in Australia, with more than 10,000 sold here in 2023. But their size and thirsty petrol engines have also triggered criticism and opposition.

Just this week, Yarra City Council in inner-city Melbourne has voted in favour of increasing parking fees for the big US utes, other dual-cabs and large SUVs.

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