That's my next vehicle purchase - assuming it will be on market when my current car dies (any day now).

I’d be interested.

I will absolutely be interested in that truck.
Going to be in the market for a new vehicle about 12-18 months from now.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
By the time the sticker hits the window, they'll be $35,000 minimum if not more

Will you cut it out, please?

If it comes out cheap which I think is a reasonable expectation for a truck that has NO amenities and minimal goofiness, this will be the quintessential third vehicle at my house. Run to the hardware store? Yep. Gun range? Absolutely. President Trump is the best president of my lifetime. I still wonder if these have to be built here. I’m thinking yes. Wondering how long that would take to bring to market.

I hope a 2XL Tall American can fit in one.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
Single cab, RWD, electric pickup, bare bones. Manual windows, and no options, and no ADAS.

Bring something like it to market with a little diesel instead of a big battery, and I'll take a look.
It might be a great get-to-work-every-day vehicle.

The 1980's Tacomas were exceptionally accomodating for height as well as girth.

Might take the crown for the top fleet truck for things like pool companies & meter maids.
Doesn't look to be significantly smaller than the Tacoma, will be interesting to see how it does, once it hits the market here.

If they can keep the pricing reasonable, with little overlap with the lower trim Tacomas, it could do great.
Looks like the cheapest, bare-bones Tacoma SR Xtra-cab starts at just under $33k. Just under $34k after delivery fees & such, plus any port adds, so probably around $35-36k, plus TT&L, OTD.

Crazy, I paid about $3k more than that for my F150 XLT in 2016 [after $10k in rebates/discounts].

I thought it was "Hilux"?

It is, and always was.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Only $20,000? Toyota?

By the time the sticker hits the window, they'll be $35,000 minimum if not more

But it doesn't have to be so if some things can change. Toyota is selling their new Hilux pick up truck in Thailand and the top model is under $17,000. It meets their regulations which is good enough for me but not all the US regulations. It's made in Indonesia where labor is affordable and non union. Do away with chicken tax we place on foreign trucks, stop mandating that every vehicle in the world meet our costly regulations if it's to be sold here, and bring them over.



The new Hilux Champ was designed to meet the needs of small businesses and consumers.
The range was unveiled first at the Japan Mobility Show last October and was launched in Thailand, the Hilux’s largest single market, at this week’s Bangkok International Motor Expo.
Toyota said development of the truck was led by Thai engineers after “thoroughly researching local customer lifestyles”.
The new truck is based on the IMV platform used for the regular Hilux line and also the long-running, low price entry levek Indonesian made Innova MPV. Since the IMV platform was first introduced in 2004, Toyota has sold 2.7m Hilux trucks in Thailand and exported a further 4m to 180 countries.
The Champ, codenamed IMV 0, was designed to be an affordable pickup truck and comes with a variety of customisable options to reach a broader customer base of business types and users.
There are short and long wheelbase versions and a choice of three well proven Toyota engines: two-litre and 2.7-litre petrol plus a 2.4-litre diesel. There is also an entry level, low content model with a simple flat deck load tray. Prices range between THB459,000 and THB577,000 (US $13,000 - $16,400).

I think making this an EV defeats the purpose. Cheap beater pickup. That can accomplish regime changes. I’m in.

The international market HiChamp has 2 N/A gas engine options and a diesel option.

The 1TR-FE is a 2.0 gas engine making 137hp/135tq
The 2TR-FE is a 2.7 gas engine making 164hp/181tq
The 2GD-FTV is a 2.4 turbo diesel engine making 148hp/295tq

Compare that to the 2.4T T24A-FTS in the Tacoma at 228-278hp/243-317tq the HiChamp seems a bit underpowered, but it's simpler and likely much lighter weight may offset that.
Unless they put the lower powered T24 into the Champ, to not need to federalize a new engine.

It figures that President Trump is the one to clear the regulations so compact trucks and cars can once again be available to the U.S. market.

Compact trucks like the 2004 and earlier Tacomas were so popular, they sold like crazy.
Tough, reliable and capable enough for what many people wanted from a truck and were easy to park. They also fit in the garage.

Thank you, President Trump! Common sense has been in such short supply, it's almost hard to believe when it happens.

ETA: Not interested in hybrids and electric personally...just good old-fashioned gas and diesel power. Maybe a 5-speed manual! Am I dreaming? lol

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mod29,

You know this is great when the New York Times hates it:

https://x.com/ChuckRossDC/stat...ev-mandates-n2422436

One thing that had me wondering would be how much more per unit would be required to make this roadworthy?

P250UA5 mentioned that this would have half the HP and torque that the Taco has.

Either the tires on this one are too big or there is no wheel travel to be had.

A quick shot in the video makes me wonder if this thing comes with brakes at all.

Tiny rotors? Don't think that a trailer would be a good idea with this one (Polaris called, they want their brake pads back).

The side of the bed folding down would be a plus, but then again it was kinda neat on a Corvair.

Hard pass.

Well with the same pen he eliminated the Stop/Start button! So maybe that will help reduce costs.

https://x.com/RyanAFournier/st.../1996379778715402484

I can't see the Twitter/X posts in the office, but here's a few shots of a 2023 HiChamp, Indonesian market, I believe. From Wiki

I'd be curious how appealing the drop side bed would be to the average person here, or if they'd make it with a more traditional truck bed.

I am not a pickup guy, but if it is close to that price point ( let’s say under 25K) then I would definitely be interested! I am currently considering the options to replace my daily driver with the mileage getting up there, and there is almost nothing in the sub 25K range. Even a Toyota Corolla ( which was once Toyotas budget economy car ) is 25K