Lexus rules out ute based on Toyota HiLux or Tundra – but electric pick-up possible

Toyota’s luxury division Lexus says it has no plans to add a ute to its line-up based on existing models in the Toyota portfolio, but is open to an electric pick-up if customers demand it.

Toyota’s luxury division Lexus has ruled out a ute based on the Tundra, Tacoma or HiLux – but it is open to the idea of an electric pick-up in the future if customers demand it.

The global boss of Lexus, Takashi Watanabe, told a briefing with international media in Japan there are no plans to develop pick-up versions of Toyota’s existing global line-up, but left the door open to a solely electric ute in the future.

Mr Watanabe said pick-up development was the responsibility of Toyota within the group – and sub-brands such as the Lexus luxury division and Gazoo Racing (GR) performance division had different roles to fill.

“After all we are part of Toyota … so Lexus has a different role to play as a brand compared to Toyota and that would be true also for GR,” Mr Watanabe told the roundtable discussion.

“However, in the future we will be driving (electric vehicle development for the Toyota group) and in so doing we want to be able to offer as many options as possible.

“If there is a strong need from consumers … for Lexus to release or launch a pick-up … it’s a matter of a possibility in the future.

“We will not deny (customers) a Lexus pick-up, but as of now we have no such discussions.”

Sales of pick-ups have soared in Australia over the past decade where they have shifted their roles from workhorses to family cars – and weekend getaway vehicles – with many luxurious models now available.

Pick-up sales in the US have also climbed – with a higher mix of richer models – as customers increasingly regard them as SUV replacements but with more practicality.

A pick-up – the Ford F-150 – has been the biggest-selling vehicle in the US for the past 46 consecutive years.

In Australia, the Toyota HiLux is on track to clock up its eighth annual new-car market sales victory in a row – ahead of the second-placed Ford Ranger, which is also a ute.

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