‘National vehicle’: Toyota unveils new PH-made Tamaraw in nationwide launch
MANILA, Philippines – Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) unveiled its locally-made Next Generation Tamaraw at eight locations nationwide on Friday, December 6.
The launch marks the return of the beloved Philippine brand since it was first introduced in 1976.
This is the third Toyota model to be locally produced in its plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna. The other models are the Toyota Vios and Toyota Innova.
Flexible workhorse
Jurachart Jongusuk, regional executive chief engineer of Toyota Motor Asia, touted the Next Generation Tamaraw as a highly customizeable workhorse that caters to Filipinos’ unique needs.
“We expect the Tamaraw to be a new national vehicle for the Filipinos… It prioritizes affordability but is extendable through conversion to accommodate commercial or private use,” he said.
The vehicle can be bought as a dropside, utility van, or aluminum cargo. In its various launch locations, TMP showcased possible conversions for the Next Generation Tamaraw, such as a food truck, a mobile service truck, an ambulance, and a camper RV.
TMP First Vice President for Vehicle Sales Danny Cruz said customers can get a quotation for customized versions of the Tamaraw.
The Next Generation Tamaraw is available with a 2.4-liter diesel engine and a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, both offered with manual transmission options. The Tamaraw Dropside’s diesel engine will also be available in automatic transmission.
It will also be offered on two wheelbases: a short wheelbase with a deck length of 2.4 meters and a long wheelbase with a 2.7-meter deck length. It also uses Toyota’s IMV platform seen in the Toyota Hilux to ensure durability. The short wheelbase will be cheaper, with a “target starting price of below P800,000,” TMP Chairman Alfred Ty said on November 28.
Different design, same function
Filipino netizens earlier voiced their disappointment over the Tamaraw’s new design after TMP disclosed it last year.
TMP President Masanado Hashimoto said on Friday the Next Generation Tamaraw was designed with inputs from various stakeholders. Hashimoto recalled interviewing customers in 46 Toyota showrooms in the Philippines, as well as conducting over 50 interviews with local governments and small business owners, among others.
Hashimoto also believes the flexibility of the new Tamaraw model will leave a lasting effect on Filipinos’ lives.
The Toyota Next Generation Tamaraw will be available starting January 3, 2025 with the following price points:
- Tamaraw 2.4 Dropside DSL (manual transmission) – P937,000
- Tamaraw 2.4 GL Dropside DSL (automatic transmission) – P1,075,000
- Tamaraw 2.4 Utility Van DSL (manual transmission) – P1,142,000
- Tamaraw 2.4 Aluminum Cargo DSL (manual transmission) – P1,041,000
Apart from payment options of up to seven years, Toyota will also accept trade-ins with vehicles of any brand.
TMP invested P5.5 billion to produce the new version of the Tamaraw. Its Santa Rosa plant is expected to produce around 22,000 units annually. – Rappler.com