Leon Theron, TSAM’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, showcased a number of all-new models.

Leon says Toyota bucked the negative retail trend by ending off the year on 142 612 units, which were not only the highest volume sold since 2007, but it also equalled the company’s best market share on record. Toyota has been the bestselling automotive brand in South Africa for 44 years, it’s also the only manufacturer with representation in just about all segments of the new vehicle market.

Given its topicality, Leon focused on Toyota’s dominance in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) space:

Toyota’s overall share is 53% and a 22% increase in NEV volume sales over 2022. The Corolla Cross Hybrid makes up the lion’s share of Toyota NEV sales (55%), and on the Lexus side, Lexus NEV volumes accounted for a record 42.5% of total Lexus sales in 2023.

New models revealed at the event:

• Land Cruiser 70 Series: Launching February 2024 with a classic facelift and the well-known 2.8 GD-6 powerplant with a new 6-speed automatic gearbox, a first for the Land Cruiser.
• Land Cruiser Prado: Launching April 2024. The square silhouette and modular design with easy to replace parts if damaged off-roading form the foundation of the vehicle. It will use the LC 300 platform with a 2.8 GD-6 engine and an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It will debut with a First Edition then followed by TX and VX-R.
• Toyota Hilux 48V: Launching March 2024, the 48-volt mild-hybrid electric package will see the country’s first hybrid Hilux. It adds 12 kW of power and 65 Nm of torque through the motor generator to the engine and uses regenerative braking. It is equipped with a Stop/Start system and idle speed can be reduced to 600 r/min. It will be available on all Hilux 2.8 Auto Raider and Legend models as well as the Fortuner 2.8.
• Hino 300 Series Hybrid: Launching November 2024, the 4-litre Common-Rail Turbo (Euro6) will deliver a combined output of 110 kW & 470 Nm. The electric motor is coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. It boasts regenerative braking, a Stop/Start system and advanced safety features such as a pre-collision system (PCS), lane departure warning system and cruise control.
• Toyota bZ4X: Launching in 2025 – either this model or a related model in BZ family will be the 1st fully battery electric vehicle (BEV) from Toyota. It is based on Toyota’s eTNGA dedicated BEV platform with a range of 400 km.
• Lexus RZ: Launching the Lexus RZ early in 2025, it will be using the bespoke BEV platform from Lexus with a dual-motor delivering all-wheel drive with 150 kW to front wheels and 80 kW to the rear. The range is said to be between 375 km and 450 km.
• Hilux GR S III: Launching March 2024, this bakkie is the one many of enthusiasts have been waiting for. The face is ‘grafted’ from the iconic Tundra with customised Dakar-bred styling making it wider than the normal Hilux. There is a bespoke GR Interior and performance from the boosted 2.8-litre powertrain is 165 kW and 550 Nm.