Toyota Motor Corp. holds World Premiere of the Hiace here in PH

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) jointly unveiled the latest generation of the Toyota Hiace during the new model’s World Premiere held at the Grand Hyatt Manila, Bonifacio Global City.

TMC and TMP officially introduced three variants of the All-New Hiace: the GL Grandia Tourer, the GL Grandia, and the Commuter Deluxe. Both the Commuter Deluxe and the GL Grandia will be available for retail in all Toyota dealerships nationwide starting March 5, 2019. The GL Grandia Tourer will be available in early April.

Redesigned inside and out

There are two key inspirations in the design and engineering of the All-New Hiace. The first is to create a vehicle that increases productivity. The second is to provide safe, comfortable, and reliable transport for people everywhere.

The All-New Hiace has been revamped inside-out to address these goals. At the literal forefront of the refreshed modern look is the new semi-bonnet design, which means that the engine is no longer mounted atop the front wheel axle.

By changing the engine’s position, both driver and passenger can experience better ergonomics, without the heat and vibration emanating underneath their seats. This also results in better serviceability, as the engine becomes easier to access compared to the previous make.

Paired with a highly rigid body, the All-New Hiace offers better riding and driving pleasure that is worth beyond its price point. Hailing from Toyota’s prominent commercial vehicle (CV) heritage, bold but clean character lines sweep through the Hiace horizontally, creating a strong and stable image. For the GL Grandia Tourer variant, the head lamps are complemented by vertical LED Daytime Running Lights and fog lamps in the bumper, while chamfered rear combination lamps add to its three-dimensional presence.

Trusted Performance

The All-New Hiace is powered by a new 1GD-FTV 2.8 L engine that has a high-boost turbocharger, 176 horsepower, intercooler system, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), and Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) that leads to reduced cabin noise by absorbing engine vibrations. It also offers better handling with variable power steering, lighter gear shifting, and a MacPherson strut front suspension system with leaf spring rear suspension. With its new drivetrain, the All-New Hiace is powerful and more fuel efficient than its previous generation—making it a vehicle you can truly rely on.

Advanced Safety Features

Considered a Toyota hallmark feature regardless of vehicle segment, the All-New Hiace is equipped with advanced safety features. The transition from a cab-over design to semi-bonnet additionally increases collision safety. Toyota is also the first manufacturer to include a center seat airbag on a utility van for its front center passengers, for a total of 3 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) airbags for the Commuter Deluxe and 2 SRS airbags for the GL Grandia and GL Grandia Tourer variants.

The All-New Hiace’s GL Grandia and GL Grandia Tourer variants come with Vehicle Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Anti-Lock Brake System, and Emergency Brake Signals. The Commuter Deluxe also has Anti-Lock Brake System and Emergency Brake Signals. Owners, drivers, and passengers alike are offered great peace of mind as both passive and active safety are accounted for in the design of the new generation Hiace.

Continuing the Legacy

Empowering the local population throughout its 25-year presence, the Hiace was first introduced on Philippine shores in 1994 and since then has sold more than 135,650 units. Known and trusted by many Filipinos, the Toyota Hiace is the leading model of the utility van segment with a 55.6% total market share last 2018.

In the Philippines, the Toyota Hiace is a transportation staple that ferries people, moves cargo, and shuttles clients over great distances whether in urban centers or rural countrysides. Apart from bringing families together through precious memories and experiences on the road, the Hiace is also often the platform by which goods and services are built upon. It connects providers to consumers, such in the case of school and company daily shuttles, hotel and airport complimentary transport, as well as local travel and tours for big groups. The flexibility and versatility of the Hiace’s interior space also allow owners to customize it for business purposes.

“We, at Toyota Motor Philippines, are honored to host the World Premiere of the All-New Toyota Hiace. For the first time, the world’s eyes are on the Philippines, to witness the unveiling of the Full Model Change Hiace, never before exhibited elsewhere,” said Mr. Satoru Suzuki, President of TMP.

Toyota aims to offer a modern and practical solution with the new generation Hiace—functional made even better.

In a statement, the All-New Hiace model’s Chief Engineer Takuo Ishikawa from Toyota Motor Corporation said, “The Hiace is a faithful partner that makes people feel safe, satisfied, and proud. Owners, drivers, and passengers know they are in good hands when they own, drive, and ride in a Hiace. They know it can be trusted, and that it has excellent resale value. There is simply no substitute.”

Guided by these principles, it is with utmost pride that TMP pushed to uphold its current status as the number one distributor of the Toyota Hiace model outside Japan, out of 150 countries where the model is present.

Toyota Motor Philippines is offering the following variants of the All-New Hiace, to cater to the various customers and sectors in the country:

For more information on the All-New Hiace, visit TMP’s official website at www.toyota.com.ph or join the official Facebook group at www.facebook.com/ToyotaMotorPhilippines. You may also visit Toyota’s global website at www.toyota-global.com for the latest news and updates from the world’s number one automotive brand.

 

Photos – Neil

Video by Cameron Arciaga