Let’s check out the vehicles of the Red Cross

An organization’s public face, even more so than its human representatives, is often relegated to the vehicles it uses. The aforementioned, of course, only makes sense because even the tiniest local government unit or charitable organization will have to depend on a four-wheeled (or even six-wheeled) ride for logistics and moving around its members. 

The Philippine military, specifically the Army and the Marine Corps, is often associated with their 6x6 trucks, or their Cadillac Gage Commando armored personnel carriers. Employees of local companies like PLDT Incorporated are likewise known to scuttle around with their black-colored Toyota Vios service vehicles. For the same reason, the traffic enforcers of San Miguel Corporation’s Skyway System are commonly seen riding various BMW motorcycles. 

The same, of course, goes for one of the most prominent non-profit charitable organizations in the world - The International Red Cross, or simply Red Cross. So, in celebration of World Red Cross Day (May 8), let’s check out the rides of the aforementioned humanitarian group in the Philippines and abroad. 

Toyota Land Cruiser

From Europe to the Americas, to Asia, the most iconic official Red Cross vehicle is probably the Toyota Land Cruiser. 

The said vehicle is so thoroughly ingrained in the identity of the Red Cross that Toyota even made a dedicated 70 Series model optimized for humanitarian missions. It is made by Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings Limited, a subsidiary of the Japanese marque based in Spain.

As expected, the said version of the iconic off-roader is colored white and is equipped with a comprehensive kit to make it ready to meet the needs of the Red Cross. 

For people who are curious, here are some of the mechanical specifications and equipment of the Toyota Land Cruiser 70, as dictated by the official International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) catalog page: 

Model code	Toyota Land Cruiser 70 HZJ76
Engine	4.2-liter six-cylinder
Transmission	Five-speed manual
Fuel type	Diesel
Horsepower (hp)	129
Front suspension	Coil type
Rear suspension	Leaf spring
Additional equipment	Full float rear axle High-altitude air intake compensator Snorkel Fixed front hubs Electronic 4x4 system Rust-proof chassis HF Antenna bracket Dunlop SP Qualifier tires Pintle tow hooks

Most of the Toyota Land Cruisers in the Red Cross fleet often come in the form of the 76 Hardtop variant. But otherwise, the group’s local arm and many of its international chapters also make use of the Land Cruiser 78 Hardtop (wagon), 79 single or double-cabin pickup truck versions to ferry around personnel or relief goods. A few were also kitted out as ambulances as well. 

Why the Toyota Land Cruiser? Well, the model was always known to be rugged and highly capable off-road. The said model is likewise regarded by many for its reliability - a crucial point especially for an organization that is constantly on the move to deliver crucial life-giving aid or supplies. 

In the Philippine market, however, the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series is unavailable. Instead, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) currently offers the highly modern and very luxurious Land Cruiser LC300 with a starting price of P5.39 million. 

Toyota Hiace

Another vehicle that the Philippine Red Cross commonly uses is the Toyota Hiace. Usually, the said nameplate is utilized by the organization as an ambulance.

By extension, most hospitals and various local units of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) also use the said model in the same capacity. It has, after all, an abundance of space for a gurney and loads of room for crucial first aid and medical equipment. 

To note, the ones that Red Cross and other local rescue units depend on are based on a special ambulance-spec variant produced by TMP. Currently, it comes with a P1.516 million price tag. 

Here are the mechanical specs of the maximum output figures of the Toyota Hiace Ambulance: 

Engine	3.0-liter inline-4
Fuel type	Diesel
Drivetrain	Rear-wheel-drive
Transmission	Five-speed manual
Horsepower	134
Torque	300 Newton-meters (Nm)
Front suspension	Double wishbone
Rear suspension	Leaf spring
Brakes	Front disc, rear drums

 

Hyundai HD65

As seen on the social media pages of the Philippine Red Cross, it also utilizes the Hyundai HD78 GT. 

Specifically, the model is used by the organization’s local arm as a disaster response food truck for its “Hot Meals on Wheels” initiative. It has, after all, an abundance of space and cargo capacity to carry cooking implements and refrigeration units to keep ingredients fresh. 

In the Philippines, the Hyundai HD78 GT is distributed by Hariphil Asia Resources Incorporated. It is a six-wheeler truck powered by a 2.8-liter turbocharged inline-4 diesel engine capable of producing up to 160 hp. 

Nissan Titan

In North America, specifically in the United States, the Red Cross deals with a different set of challenges. For one thing, the said country has larger cities, and some have extreme conditions that are somewhat unexpected in an urban or suburban environment. 

For example, many of Florida’s cities and counties are surrounded by or are in close proximity to swamps. Other parts of the US also have arid deserts, forested mountains, and many other types of terrain. 

As such, the American Red Cross has come to depend on vehicles like the Nissan Titan. Specifically, it is called the “Ultimate Service Titan,” and it is an all-terrain behemoth capable of functioning as a mobile command center and first aid unit. 

For rescue and recovery works, Nissan USA shared that the Ultimate Service Titan comes with the following equipment: 

• Solar power generator
• Built-in WiFi hotspot
• Bed and first aid kit
• Refrigerator for blood supply
• Food and rest amenities for relief workers

While not sold in the Philippine market, the Nissan Titan has a good number of characteristics as a disaster response vehicle. It can go anywhere thanks to its 4x4 system, and plenty of power from its 5.6-liter V8 engine. In total, it can produce up to 400 horsepower. 

Renault Trucks C

In some parts of the world, such as select regions in the Middle East and in Ukraine, the Red Cross has utilized long-haul trucks to ship massive amounts of relief goods and medical supplies. 

In this regard, the humanitarian group has utilized various makes and models of trucks, but the most visible ones in its field reports are examples of the Renault Trucks C. 

Most commonly, the C range units operating under the Red Cross have a closed van body type to protect their precious cargo. And like most of the organization’s other vehicles, it is colored mostly white. 

The most powerful form of the Renault Trucks C is propelled by a 12.8-liter inline-6 turbodiesel engine capable of producing up to 520 hp and 2,550 Newton-meters of torque. Several variants also have a 6x6 drivetrain for off-road capability, as well as a decked-out sleeper cab. 

LARC-V

Probably one of the strangest vehicles operated by the Philippine Red Cross is the Light Amphibious Resupply Craft Five Ton (LARC-V). 

Initially developed in the 1950s and with heavy usage in the Vietnam War, some might consider this amphibious cargo vehicle a relic. Regardless, the local arm of the Red Cross has continuously used examples of the ex-military vehicle to great effect, particularly in times of heavy flooding during the Monsoon season. 

On land, the LARC-V looks strange, as it comes in the form of a small boat with four large wheels attached to it. It is quite awkward on the streets too, due to its relatively slow top speed of 46 kilometers per hour. 

Don’t get your hopes up, though, because the LARC-V is the farthest thing from a speedboat with its top water speed of 7.2 knots (13 kph). 

Regardless, the said vehicle remains useful for the Red Cross. Per the US Military Vehicles catalog, it has a payload capacity of around 4,000 kg, which is more than enough for several rescuers, rescuees, and loads of first aid equipment. 

At the moment, we are not privy to the exact specs of the LARC-V utilized by the Philippine Red Cross. Still, the original version, the US Military Vehicles catalog says, came standard with a 12.9-liter Cummins V8 engine capable of making up to 300 hp. It also has a 4x4 drivetrain. 

Honda TMX 125 Alpha, Wave 110 Alpha

Back in 2020, Honda Foundation Incorporated gave the Philippine Red Cross a total of 104 motorcycle units. The aforementioned are made up of a mixture of Honda TMX 125 Alpha units and several examples of the Wave 110 Alpha. 

To note, the said models were given to the local arm of the Red Cross during the height of the pandemic, wherein speed and timeliness were highly required to save lives. 

In the local market, the TMX 125 Alpha is specced as a “business” motorcycle. In other words, it is fit for demanding jobs such as forming the basis of passenger or cargo tricycles. Pricing for the current version of the TMX 125 Alpha is set at P56,900. 

The Honda Wave 110 Alpha, meanwhile, was an affordable two-wheeler touted for its fuel efficiency. It has since been replaced by the Wave RSX, which currently retails for P62,900. 

Final thoughts

So, there you have it, the vehicles of the Red Cross in the Philippines and in other parts of the world. 

Note, however, that this is by no means an exhaustive list of Red Cross vehicles currently in operation worldwide. We mostly picked out the most iconic and the most interesting ones. So, which one’s your favorite?

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