Toyota Tundra Hybrid on track for 2025 launch

The factory-backed Toyota Tundra full-size pick-up is likely to go on sale in Australia in 2025, with only a “slight chance” it won’t get signed off following a test and development process that’s about to expand to include 300 Toyota customers.

A Toyota Tundra Hybrid Limited was on display to dealers, Toyota employees and media this week in Melbourne as part of a future model showcase that also included the new Prado, hybrid-only C-HR, four-cylinder LandCruiser 70 Series and a HiLux EV concept that was sprung being shipped into Australia from Thailand earlier this month.

During the presentation it was also confirmed the Tundra would only be sold in Australia with the most powerful i-FORCE MAX 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo 325kW/790Nm hybrid powertrain.

It was also revealed that the first 50 of 300 Tundras locally converted to right-hand drive by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group would be in selected paying customers’ hands for testing in December, with the balance delivered by the end of April 2024.

Only after that testing process is completed will Toyota Australia make the call on whether to take the US-built Tundra to market in competition against the RAM 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and forthcoming Ford F-150 that are also converted locally to right-hand drive.

“I stress this is a test and trial,” said Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley. “This vehicle has not been marked for launch in Australia at this point.

“This is an essential stage before full-scale production can be approved. This is something very different we have never done before.”

However, Hanley made it very clear the desire was to get the Tundra on sale in Australia.

“There is a chance [Tundra won’t make production], I think it’s only a slight chance,” he said.

“We are not doing this not to bring it to production, but until we get the tick of approval on quality, durability, reliability – all the normal things Toyota does – we can’t confirm it.

“We think it will stack up, we are pretty confident. But we will get some feedback I’ve got no doubt and we will make some moves and changes.

“Then we will present that business case to our parent company and seek to get a launch date.”

Hanley confirmed that 2025 “at the earliest” was the logical launch timing of a production Tundra in Australia.

He also made it clear that mounting concerns and a media campaign against full-size trucks on Aussie roads – especially in the city – would not play a role in the decision to put the Tundra on sale or not.

Nine Newspapers have recently run several articles pointing out the growing size of utes and the safety dangers they pose.

“It’s a big car, there are people who want it,” said Hanley.

“It’s got great safety gear, it’s got a hybrid engine … I’ve heard of that campaign but it also went on for LandCruiser 70 and LandCruiser 100 years ago, so let’s move on.”

How can I get involved in the Toyota Tundra customer program?

The first 50 customers offered the chance to lease a test and development Tundra will come from a list of prospects generated by 15 selected Toyota dealers nationwide.

The remaining 250 prospects will be nominated by a broader range of dealers.

Location and occupation of the nominees and planned usage of the vehicle will all play a role in the selection process.

Under the Tundra Insider Program, the 300 prospects will be offered the chance to lease a Tundra Limited hybrid at a rate Hanley described as “attractive” in return for detailed feedback on their experiences. The full-service lease covers all servicing, registration and insurance costs.

If the Tundra is signed off for production, the 300 test vehicles will be reclaimed and reconditioned with any necessary updates and then put on the market as used vehicles. The lessees will likely be given first option to buy.

The 300 vehicles being leased to the public are in addition to the Tundras that are already out and about being tested by Toyota and Walkinshaw Automotive and being regularly spotted.

It’s also an extra step in the testing and validation process compared to the Tundra’s localised rivals.

“It’s the first time ever in the Toyota world … that we have ever built a car of this significance outside a Toyota plant,” Hanley said.

“It’s deeply important … that we can provide certainty to the parent company and to the brand that this is as close to OEM spec as we can get.”

The Tundra’s engine mates to a 10-speed automatic transmission and part-time 4WD system with a dual-range transfer case. It comes with a 4500kg braked towing capacity.

In Limited grade, the Tundra comes with synthetic leather seats – heated and ventilated at the front with power adjustment for the driver – as well as a 14-inch multimedia touch-screen with JBL audio system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and dual-zone climate control.

Toyota is not yet confirming the Limited will be part of the line-up if the Tundra is confirmed for production.

Together with Walkinshaw Automotive, Toyota has significantly re-engineered the vehicle with new or modified components including the steering rack, instrument panel firewall, headlights, cabling, harnesses, front seats, carpet and trim.

Many of the new components are sourced from the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au