Just last week, Toyota unveiled the Rangga Concept at the 2023 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) as a potential future utility vehicle for Southeast Asia. Because of its form and purpose, it was very easy to draw comparisons to the dearly missed Toyota Tamaraw of the 80s and 90s.
It won’t be absent for long as the vehicle may make a comeback as early as 2024. The announcement was made at Toyota Motor Philippines’ 35th Anniversary celebration attended by no less than Toyota Motor Company President himself, Akio Toyoda.
Toyoda, who is visiting the country in time for Toyota Philippines’ Anniversary as well as join in the GR Festival, shared that the Philippines continues to be an integral part of Toyota’s global operations and its assembly of vehicles and transmissions have contributed greatly to the economy and to Philippine jobs.
There could be no better vehicle to continue to provide Filipinos opportunities than the Tamaraw, thanks to its versatility and reliability. The next-generation Tamaraw is envisioned to support economic growth and offer entry-level mobility.
The Tamaraw Concept is built on the IMV-0 (IMV Zero) platform. This is the next evolution of the IMV (innovative multipurpose vehicle) platform that underpinned the original Hilux, Innova, and Fortuner trio. The zero in its name is meant to emphasize the use of eco-friendly powertrains like a cleaner diesels, hybrid systems, a full electric powertrain, or possibly even hydrogen fuel cell or hydrogen combustion.
The Tamaraw Concept was designed with flexibility in mind, taking the form of a cab & chassis platform wherein the rear can accommodate a wide range of bodies from a passenger cab, pickup bed, even refrigerated van, to even a modern PUV form —allowing the Tamaraw to revive its role as a jeepney option.
Toyota has also designed it to be easy to maintain. The front bumper is made of three separate pieces allowing just one side to be replaced or repaired if damaged, rather than the entire piece.
The next-generation Tamaraw will be assembled at the carmaker’s Sta. Rosa, Laguna plant starting in 2024. By assembling the vehicle locally, another P4.4 billion is expected to be investment in the country by Toyota. It will also add more jobs, either directly under Toyota Motor Philippines or its dealers and suppliers.