In other words, a pickup truck! Not a giant SUV masquerading as one, with a 5ft bed and 5-passenger luxury car cab, with price to match. I'm old enough to remember normal pickup trucks, affordable for actual "work" use, with bench seating for three, full 8x4 bed with half ton cargo capacity and not much else.
Every year car models get bigger and heavier. If you compare the original Tacoma to a 2023 Tacoma they look like totally different trucks. A new Tacoma looks bigger than the original Tundra.
I think vehicles should be taxed by weight, length, width, and height. The bigger the vehicle the more likely to cause an accident and the heavier the more likely for the accident to be severe.
I know you and everyone is salivating over it, mostly due to price, but this is NOT a pickup truck. This is an upscaled UTV. You can already buy similar in the US for offroad purpose (farm) for 1x - 2x the price of the Toyota/hilux.
This vehicle does not meet any safety standards whatsoever and is not roadworthy. I doubt it even has the rollover protection of a forklift.
A small pickup, at least with any kind of ICE, is literally illegal to sell here due to CAFE regulations, which are strangely based on the footprint of the car. An actually small pickup would have to be as fuel-efficient as sedans and small SUVs, which isn't going to work out.
EVs will work, but not at that sub-$20k price point.
> Oooh, I would _absolutely_ buy one of these to tow with.
From an outsider, that's the thing that baffles me the most about the current state of the whole world's auto industry. Sometimes it seems that all auto makers are colluding to prevent any competition based on price, and are instead invested in forcing this notion that the only possible consumer pressure is on seeking luxury features like onboard computers, touchscreens, media centers, etc etc.
A vehicle's primary use is take people and objects from point A to B, and do so reliably and economically. The automotive industry is the textbook example of economy of scale. Why are we still seeing low-end cars being sold for small fortunes?
What are you going to tow? The unbraked tow capacity is 750Kg. The fact that there even is an unbraked vs braked capacity points to how horrible (ie, not roadworthy) this vehicle is.
Excellent farm truck, I assume, or Toyota wouldn't put their name on it. But not something you are going to use on highways in the US, and esp not with a trailer.
I feel like the question in the title is just... forgotten about, lol. I guess the reader is supposed to know it's because it's not available in the U.S.
Toyota see the huge demand in the US, but won't have something ready for a few years. It'll be a Hilux-vs-Tacoma thing.
The Ford Ranger/Maverick is selling like hotcakes and Toyota can't ignore that market, esp. with Ford's labor issues and Toyota's challenges with EVs and focus on ICE.
To be fair, in APEC/ASEAN markets, this isn't "new", innovative or unique this is general competition because the Suzuki Carry is the market leader. You can purchase a new Suzuki Carry for less than $10,000 in Indonesia:
So while the news media and everyone on hackernews touts this as "wow!", "Zinga!!" or "I am a ten out of ten!" - this is not as revolutionary as it seems. Everything in this PR material release is alreeady done on the Suzuki Carry as used as a cafe on wheels, or a RV is done with the current Suzuki Carry.
Philippines models: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wszDcDfhYF4 8:14 one of the most expensive ASEAN/APEC markets, where the suzuki carry is assembled but not manufactured.
I love the flatbed with the flip down sides. I used one of these in Europe, and they are incredibly convenient. You flip down the sides and load it up without having to reach over anything and then just flip them back up to drive. Unloading dirt or gravel by hand is so much easier when you can just push it off the side with a shovel.
I've seen this once or twice in the U.S., but only on very large trucks. I wonder if there's some regulatory reason.
> I've seen this once or twice in the U.S., but only on very large trucks. I wonder if there's some regulatory reason.
In very general terms, pickup trucks in Europe (and other countries outside of North America) are used for hauling things in the bed, whereas pickup trucks in the US are used to tow things. Not to mention that especially in the US, they're very often used as daily drivers, so the flip-down sides, as handy as they are, are less appealing because they look dingy and will rattle.
With modern half-ton and higher pickups in the US, the bed is actually very difficult to use, because the market keeps demanding more and more "aggressive-looking" and "off-road capable" trucks, which means the whole vehicle and the load floor get taller and taller. You basically have to be a giant to actually be able to load and unload things from the bed.
Not gonna lie, this thing looks pretty hot. With a lift and overlanding gear, this looks like it could be a fun rig. (I have no real overlanding experience, only wanderlust.)
For a farm run around I'd love an EV version of this with just a small motor and battery. Even a simple golf cart costs more than this these days. A 50kW motor and 25kWh LFP or Sodium battery would be plenty and should allow hitting a very similar price point.
> Japanese manufacturers initially found they could export "chassis cab" configurations (which included the entire light truck, less the cargo box or truck bed) with only a 4% tariff. A truck bed would subsequently be attached to the chassis in the United States and the vehicle could be sold as a light truck.
> From 1978 to 1987, the Subaru BRAT carried two rear-facing seats in its rear bed to meet classification as a "passenger vehicle" and not a light truck.
> Ford imported all of its first-generation Ford Transit Connect models as "passenger vehicles" by including rear windows, rear seats, and rear seat belts. The vehicles are exported from Turkey, arrive in Baltimore, and are converted back into light trucks by replacing rear windows with metal panels and removing the rear seats and seat belts.
Tacoma is a softer and less rugged vehicle than the Hilux, since people use them more like a car. People in third world countries use the Hilux as a work truck. People here in the US use a one ton truck for a work vehicle.
Despite being made in a Mexico they won’t be sold in the States and probably wouldn’t meet NHTSA or EPA requirements. But if you could buy them… I’d write a check for 3 tomorrow.
The RV world has a dearth of light, towable vehicles for pulling behind Class A and Class C types. The margins and target audience are not big, but a truck like this would definitely sell into that market.
I mean, $10000 is almost enough to ignore just how ugly that thing is. I just don't see the comparison to the 70 series or Hilux, except vaguely, maybe similar to La Croix's relationship to water.
To be clear, I find the effort they put into "styling" it ugly; if they committed and made a utilitarian vehicle without the style-effort, it likely would look great.
Toyota has always trended on the ugly side, but when you factor design with reliability and price (pick 2 out of the 3), they have a winning combination.
Yeah, give me this truck with just a bit of upsell: airbags, antilock, A/C and a long bed and i'll throw on a spray on bedliner, a tonneau cover and a stereo.
[+] [-] MarkusWandel|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] diogenescynic|2 years ago|reply
I think vehicles should be taxed by weight, length, width, and height. The bigger the vehicle the more likely to cause an accident and the heavier the more likely for the accident to be severe.
[+] [-] jeffwask|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tbihl|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jiveturkey|2 years ago|reply
I know you and everyone is salivating over it, mostly due to price, but this is NOT a pickup truck. This is an upscaled UTV. You can already buy similar in the US for offroad purpose (farm) for 1x - 2x the price of the Toyota/hilux.
This vehicle does not meet any safety standards whatsoever and is not roadworthy. I doubt it even has the rollover protection of a forklift.
[+] [-] hasmanean|2 years ago|reply
That’s like the weight of what, 2 fat people?
A ton is 1000 lb, right?
[+] [-] eschneider|2 years ago|reply
It's become almost impossible to find a cheap pickup truck in the US. Even older USED trucks are commanding $30K these days.
If they could fit this out to pass safety regs in North America and keep the price under $20K, it would be a license to print money.
[+] [-] gottorf|2 years ago|reply
EVs will work, but not at that sub-$20k price point.
[+] [-] rewmie|2 years ago|reply
From an outsider, that's the thing that baffles me the most about the current state of the whole world's auto industry. Sometimes it seems that all auto makers are colluding to prevent any competition based on price, and are instead invested in forcing this notion that the only possible consumer pressure is on seeking luxury features like onboard computers, touchscreens, media centers, etc etc.
A vehicle's primary use is take people and objects from point A to B, and do so reliably and economically. The automotive industry is the textbook example of economy of scale. Why are we still seeing low-end cars being sold for small fortunes?
[+] [-] fwungy|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mesarvagya|2 years ago|reply
And add dealer's markup fee and hidden fees, it will automatically touch 30K
[+] [-] jiveturkey|2 years ago|reply
Excellent farm truck, I assume, or Toyota wouldn't put their name on it. But not something you are going to use on highways in the US, and esp not with a trailer.
[+] [-] fwungy|2 years ago|reply
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025-toyota-imv-0-pickup-...
[+] [-] HomeDeLaPot|2 years ago|reply
I feel like the question in the title is just... forgotten about, lol. I guess the reader is supposed to know it's because it's not available in the U.S.
[+] [-] red-iron-pine|2 years ago|reply
The Ford Ranger/Maverick is selling like hotcakes and Toyota can't ignore that market, esp. with Ford's labor issues and Toyota's challenges with EVs and focus on ICE.
[+] [-] rootsudo|2 years ago|reply
https://www.suzuki.co.id/automobile/new-carry
https://www.suzuki.co.id/pricelist
So while the news media and everyone on hackernews touts this as "wow!", "Zinga!!" or "I am a ten out of ten!" - this is not as revolutionary as it seems. Everything in this PR material release is alreeady done on the Suzuki Carry as used as a cafe on wheels, or a RV is done with the current Suzuki Carry.
Philippines models: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wszDcDfhYF4 8:14 one of the most expensive ASEAN/APEC markets, where the suzuki carry is assembled but not manufactured.
Indonesian models, where it is assembled and also manufactured https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AewiO-8fnJ0
[+] [-] cameldrv|2 years ago|reply
I've seen this once or twice in the U.S., but only on very large trucks. I wonder if there's some regulatory reason.
[+] [-] gottorf|2 years ago|reply
In very general terms, pickup trucks in Europe (and other countries outside of North America) are used for hauling things in the bed, whereas pickup trucks in the US are used to tow things. Not to mention that especially in the US, they're very often used as daily drivers, so the flip-down sides, as handy as they are, are less appealing because they look dingy and will rattle.
With modern half-ton and higher pickups in the US, the bed is actually very difficult to use, because the market keeps demanding more and more "aggressive-looking" and "off-road capable" trucks, which means the whole vehicle and the load floor get taller and taller. You basically have to be a giant to actually be able to load and unload things from the bed.
[+] [-] ezekg|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pedrocr|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] petee|2 years ago|reply
https://electrek.co/2021/10/25/i-actually-bought-a-cheap-ele...
[+] [-] everybodyknows|2 years ago|reply
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax
Yet another regressive slant in our tax system, inglorious legacy of an earlier generation.
[+] [-] xcdzvyn|2 years ago|reply
> Japanese manufacturers initially found they could export "chassis cab" configurations (which included the entire light truck, less the cargo box or truck bed) with only a 4% tariff. A truck bed would subsequently be attached to the chassis in the United States and the vehicle could be sold as a light truck.
> From 1978 to 1987, the Subaru BRAT carried two rear-facing seats in its rear bed to meet classification as a "passenger vehicle" and not a light truck.
> Ford imported all of its first-generation Ford Transit Connect models as "passenger vehicles" by including rear windows, rear seats, and rear seat belts. The vehicles are exported from Turkey, arrive in Baltimore, and are converted back into light trucks by replacing rear windows with metal panels and removing the rear seats and seat belts.
[+] [-] genter|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] livinglist|2 years ago|reply
https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/發財車_(台灣)
[+] [-] maxglute|2 years ago|reply
Otherwise amazing. I love how value engineered the aesthetic is.
[+] [-] chrismaeda|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] wkjagt|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] culopatin|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tomcam|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] systemBuilder|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] red-iron-pine|2 years ago|reply
Ford Maverick is a low cost truck and is selling like crazy. Demand has exceeded factory capacity and orders are in through next year.
Meanwhile this truck won't even be sold in the US.
Blue collar workers don't drive Raptors.
[+] [-] tomcam|2 years ago|reply
Edit: and CAFE refs per gottorf https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38179829
[+] [-] hcarrega|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jabl|2 years ago|reply
> But Toyota's longer-range plan is to minimize profit on sale of the basic truck, and earn on the upfit potential.
Eagerly awaiting the official Toyota Technical.
[+] [-] cf100clunk|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] petee|2 years ago|reply
To be clear, I find the effort they put into "styling" it ugly; if they committed and made a utilitarian vehicle without the style-effort, it likely would look great.
[+] [-] fwungy|2 years ago|reply
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2025-toyota-imv-0-pickup-...
[+] [-] p1mrx|2 years ago|reply
https://www.motortrend.com/uploads/2023/11/2024-Toyota-IMV-0...
[+] [-] turtlebits|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] local_crmdgeon|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lamontcg|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lamontcg|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Solim|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ponector|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rawgabbit|2 years ago|reply
Does it have an outlet to run power tools? I assume the food truck is getting electricity from the truck?
[+] [-] local_crmdgeon|2 years ago|reply