Toyota Kluger future secured in Australia, however EV nonetheless a no-go

The Toyota Kluger is a well-liked SUV nameplate in Australia, however whereas the Japanese model’s native division says its future is protected right here, there are nonetheless no plans to convey the not too long ago revealed all-electric mannequin Down Beneath.

Talking with CarExpert, Toyota Australia vp for gross sales and advertising, John Pappas, mentioned: “The Kluger does very nicely for us in Australia, and we plan to proceed that nameplate”.

“Concerning the BEV within the US, we’re at all times choices concerning what’s made out there to us in Australia – that car in right-hand drive shouldn’t be out there to us. If it ever does, we are going to at all times take a look at it.

“So there’s nothing to substantiate that we’re getting that automotive right here as a result of it is not out there for our market, but when it ever did turn into out there, we might very a lot think about that for our market as a BEV,” Mr Pappas added.

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In February, Toyota USA revealed the all-new 2027 Highlander as an all-electric three-row SUV to rival the likes of the Kia EV9, and it’ll succeed the present petrol and hybrid Highlander (recognized right here because the Kluger) in North America later this 12 months. Patrons there who need a three-row SUV however who don’t need an EV will nonetheless have the choice of the bigger Grand Highlander, which is not supplied in Australia.

The 2027 Toyota Highlander EV additionally types the premise of the new Subaru Getaway, a evenly restyled model of the Highlander EV which may also be unique to North America, at the very least initially.

The brand new Toyota EV’s timing is fascinating, given Toyota solely simply began promoting the US-built Highlander Hybrid in Japan as a part of a brand new initiative to enhance Japan-US commerce relations (which additionally sees the Tundra marketed there), with the American-assembled petrol and hybrid household SUV exported from the States to quite a lot of world markets together with Australia and South Korea.

Following the reveal of the brand new Highlander EV, Toyota Australia informed CarExpert it has no plans to drop the Kluger Hybrid, doubtlessly hinting at a serious replace for markets exterior of North America. It is also price noting the Highlander/Kluger is produced in China by the FAW Toyota three way partnership for the home market, the place it is referred to as the Crown Kluger, leaning on Toyota’s long-running sub-brand.

Talking of China, final 12 months the model’s GAC Toyota three way partnership confirmed the next-generation Highlander in China might be supplied with a range-extender EV (EREV) powertrain possibility as a part of its technique to raised tailor core fashions for the Chinese language market. It is unclear whether or not this Highlander EREV might be based mostly on the brand new Highlander EV, the present Highlander, or one other car altogether.