Toyota Hilux bookings suspended temporarily

A fortnight after Toyota Hilux bookings commenced in India, the company has announced that it will not accept any bookings for the upcoming pickup for some time citing overwhelming response and production constraints.

Toyota has reported in a statement that the bookings for the upcoming Hilux pickup truck have been temporarily closed. The company says its supply chain will be unable to cope with the demand otherwise. Bookings for the Toyota Hilux will reopen soon, but an exact timeline has not been shared by TKM. Toyota Hilux deliveries to start in April, prices to be revealed in March.

“We are delighted with the overwhelming response that the Hilux has received from our customers within a fortnight of its launch. We are grateful to our valued customers for their continued trust and confidence in our brand and our enhanced offerings in this whole new product segment. However, in light of various factors impacting our supply, we are unable to meet the heightened demand. Thus, we deeply regret our temporary halt of bookings for the Hilux with a view to avoid any further inconvenience to our customers,” said Toyota Kirloskar Motor in the statement.

The Toyota Hilux will enter a very niche product category in India with the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross for company. Based on the same platform as the Fortuner but measuring larger in dimensions, the Hilux brand prides itself in its off-road pedigree. It is powered by the same 2.8-litre diesel engine that makes 204bhp and 500Nm of torque when mated to the automatic transmission. The Hilux is currently being offered only in AWD configuration, features like locking rear differential, electronic limited-slip differential, active traction control, 700mm water wading capacity, tyre angle monitor and others add to the off-road credentials of the Hilux.

To make the package even more appealing, Toyota has taken the interior parts off the Fortuner although used in a different style. The same 8-inch infotainment screen is present, other features include electrically adjustable front seats, steering mounted controls, JBL Audio, ambient lighting, front parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control and many more. Safety wise the Hilux boasts of a 5-Star NCAP rating, 7-airbags, ABS, brake assist, vehicle stability control, parking assist etc.

Bookings had been underway at Toyota dealerships for Rs 1 lakh and via Toyota’s website for Rs 50,000. The Toyota Hilux is expected to be pegged just below the Fortuner price wise, so it is expected to carry a price tag starting around Rs 27-30 lakh. When launched it will be the second only pickup truck in the Indian market for private vehicle buyers, next to the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross.