TOYOTA

Company will produce the Hiace van in Argentina

The model should arrive in 2024 in passenger van and cargo van versions. Thus, there are chances that the new line will also be sold in Brazil. The production confirmation was made by the Argentine minister of production, Daniel Scioli.

Thus, the market positioning of the new Toyota model will depend on the equipment list. It is worth noting that the van and van segment is expanding. Mainly because of the advancement of e-commerce sales. As a result, there has been widespread growth in demand for delivery vehicles, especially in large urban centers.

In the Brazilian market, for example. the offer is wide. Among the options are larger models, such as the Fiat Ducato, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Renault Master lines. In addition to the Ford Transit, which has just returned in a new generation. In addition, there are smaller options. This is the case of Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Jumper, in addition to Fiat Scudo. The three are made on the same platform as the Stellantis Group, owner of these brands.

Toyota Hiace shares parts from the Hilux line...In turn, the Hiace line is a mid-2015 project. In Argentina, the model began to be imported in 2019. However, now Toyota plans to produce the model in the neighbouring country. Collaborating with this is the fact that there are several parts shared with the Hilux pickup and the SW4 SUV. As both models are made at the brand's factory in Argentina, this facilitates the production of the Hiace.

Thus, the model is offered with a 204 hp 2.8 turbodiesel engine. In addition, the transmission is a six-speed automatic. Therefore, it is the same mechanical assembly of the pickup and the SUV. Be that as it may, the signal about the model's production had already been made by Toyota's sales and marketing director in Argentina, Ignacio Limpenny.

In 2021, the executive spoke of the difficulty of maintaining competitive prices since the line pays 35% of import tax. Furthermore, according to a report by the newspaper Ámbito Financiero, Toyota's goal is to produce 200,000 vehicles in Argentina from 2024. Therefore, it is clear that the brand is targeting Brazil. After all, in 2021 the total production of vehicles in the neighboring country did not reach 435 thousand units.

Also according to the newspaper, Toyota is already carrying out a second round of parts price quotations with its network of suppliers. Thus, it is close to starting production of the new model at the Zárate complex, in the province of Buenos Aires. Initially, the plan is to manufacture around 4,000 units of the Hiace line in van and passenger van versions per year.

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