It’s not uncommon for car brands to show off highly customized versions of their production cars. Simply visit any showroom and you’re bound to find at least one car fitted with a lot of options not typically installed in the vehicle.
In fact, just the recent Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) had every brand dressing up at least one of their cars in quite a lot of kit, typically the SUVs with overland gear. These show cars are intended to visualize just what’s possible with the car and particularly appeal to those that plan to modify the vehicle shortly after purchase. However, they’re not typically offered for sale. While some brands will point you to the third party shops where the equipment can be purchased, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), by contrast, lets you order that very vehicle.
Those that caught one of the many mall displays of the next generation Toyota Tamaraw likely brushed off some of the fancier body conversions as simply show cars. However, these are actual variants that can be ordered from any Toyota dealer. Granted, there may not be any listed prices like the Dropside, Utility Van or Cargo Van variants. Nonetheless, they are still available for order if one is inclined.
These special body conversions were developed by Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines in collaboration with TMP Product Planning Department (PPD) and TMP Conversion & Accessories. In short, these were designed, developed, and are built in-house by Toyota Motor Philippines' specialized departments.
They include the eye-catching Camper RV for car camping, an Ambulance for emergency medical services, a Patrol Van for law enforcement, and a Refrigerated Van for transporting perishable goods, a food truck or even a mobile store configuration. Even more niche vehicles like the mobile LED screen advertising truck and Race Truck can be ordered.
The Camper RV, for instance, boasts of a large recreational vehicle attachment in the rear. This cabin features a functioning bathroom with toilet and shower, a bed, and even cabinets to store items. Solar panels on top allow the on-board battery to be charged, which can in turn power the cabin’s lights, small appliances, or recharge devices.
Like the Camper RV, the Food Truck variant has a functioning kitchen in its rear body. This includes stoves, a refrigerator, faucet, and onboard power supply to keep it all running.
The Ambulance comes with all the emergency medical equipment needed by first responders and for patient transport. The Patrol Truck, designed for law enforcement has a multipuprose rear area with foldable passenger seats as well as emergency lights. These two vehicles are high volume special conversions and fall under TMP Conversion & Accessories.
The mobile service vehicle has an onboard compressor and lots of space to store tools and parts to repair other vehicles or heavy machinery in remote areas.
Nico Bravante of Toyota Mobility Solutions Philippines proudly shared that all of these can be ordered by the customer. In fact, Toyota Philippines has the most body conversion options out of all the countries where the Tamaraw /Hilux Champ is offered.
Best of all, they will also be supported by a warranty even if they’re fitted with aftermarket parts like larger wheels and tires, so long as these are purchased from Toyota. This is because Toyota has been vetting suppliers and rigorously testing the parts. Items like the Camper RV’s solar panel, aftermarket wheels, suspension system of the race truck, have to meet particular quality standards before being fitted to the vehicle.
Bravante shared that many of these conversions, while available, do not have prices yet as certain specifics of the vehicle have to be determined by the customer, which may affect the final price. The Camper RV, for example, can be ordered with a variety of cabinets or camping equipment which will affect the final price. The size of the LED screens in the advertising truck may vary, which in turn will affect the capacity of the onboard generator required. The Race Truck, by contrast, is fitted with high performance parts, including a roll cage, a Recaro racing seat and even airbag suspension for a lower stance, which can be availed of or opted out by the customer.
These are just some of the standard body conversions. Bravante shared that Toyota Mobility Solutions, in collaboration with TMP Product Planning Department (PPD) and TMP Conversion & Accessories, will gladly look into any request and determine whether it can be executed for the customer. In fact, Toyota Mobility Solutions is not limited to the Tamaraw. The department can also look into requests for other Toyota models, as well as consult with customers for tailored solutions to their mobility needs.
Price and delivery of these units will depend on the options availed and the quantity of vehicles. Still, it’s pretty nice to know that even the wildest requests for the new Tamaraw are no mean feat for Toyota Philippines.