When it comes to hybridization, it’s safe to say that Toyota pioneered the market. It was first to make electrified vehicles mainstream. Locally, The company has been offering hybrid power for nearly 20 years and has been integrating it into its lineup ever since.
These days, a good chunk of the brand’s range here is electrified in one way or another. But this year, Toyota Motor Philippines has announced that it wants to further expand its electrified portfolio, not that it’s lacking at the moment.
So, what possible hybrid or electrified models can the company possibly bring in? Here’s our wishlist.
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Toyota Raize HEV
Hybrids haven’t really seeped in the small crossover segment just yet. However, Toyota has the potential to make inroads there. The Raize hybrid has been available in Japan for quite some time already, although it isn’t offered in Southeast Asia just yet. Still, who wouldn’t like the idea of a Raize that does over 20km/L without any effort.
Toyota Veloz HEV
So far, only Mitsubishi has a hybrid subcompact MPV in the form of the Xpander e:Motion. That opens up the possibility of a Veloz hybrid, and there have been reports of it coming to fruition. As the Veloz uses the same platform as the Raize, slotting in a hybrid powertrain shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Toyota Hilux MHEV
Already available in other parts, the mild-hybrid Hilux could be a good addition to the local lineup. It won’t be the first electrified pickup, but it should be more efficient than the standard 2.8-liter that currently powers it. It gets a little bit of help from the hybrid system, so it might be a touch quicker, too.
Toyota Prius
The hybrid that started it all. The Toyota Prius was never a smash hit in the Philippines, but at least it paved the way for all the other battery-assisted models now available here. Given the way it looks (and drives) now, it might be a good time to bring it back here.
Toyota Alphard PHEV
Now this, we really would like to see here. The Alphard hybrid is great and all, but the plug-in hybrid version should level up its refinement even more. Of course, there’s the added benefit of even better fuel efficiency and more power. There are additional suspension tweaks to make it more comfortable, making it a true business class experience on the road.
