Could the Toyota Tamaraw be revived for the Philippines?

MANILA: The recognizable Toyota Tamaraw may once more be seen on Philippine streets. This comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. applauded Toyota Motor Corporation's plan to bring back the well-liked Tamaraw model in the Philippine market.

While in Japan, President Marcos Jr. had a meeting with Akio Toyoda, who is currently president of Toyota and shortly will be chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation. Senior government officials attended the meeting with the two, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (who is now a representative and deputy speaker).

The Presidential Communications Office released a statement on this information on its Facebook page, which read: "Ikinalugod ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang plano ng Toyota Motors Corporation na muling ibalik ang Tamaraw model sa merkado ng bansa. Ibinahagi din ng Pangulo na ang Tamaraw ay isa sa pinakakilalang modelo ng sasakyan sa Pilipinas."

(The decision by Toyota Motor Corporation to reintroduce the Tamaraw model to the local market has been welcomed by President Marcos Jr. The Tamaraw is one of the most recognizable car models in the Philippines, according to the President.)

"Nagpahayag naman ng suporta ang Toyota sa mga plano ng administrasyon sa pagpapaluwag ng pagnenegosyo para sa mga kumpanyang nais mag negosyo sa bansa."

(Toyota claims to be in favor of the administration's initiatives to loosen trade restrictions for companies who want to operate in the nation.)

Is the Toyota Tamaraw returning to the Philippines?

The planned comeback of the Toyota Tamaraw is odd after having long since given way to the Toyota Innova, its more contemporary replacement. The newest Toyota Innova could be called Zenix in the Philippines, according to reports. The Japanese carmaker has already registered "Innova Zenix" for use in the Philippines.

However, — according to Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) President Atsuhiro Okamoto in an interview with the Manila Bulletin —the new Tamaraw would still feature a diesel engine but will be cleaner.

“We were committed to invest P4.4 billion for light commercial vehicles — LCV, that’s called in Toyota IMV 0 Project. It’s the new generation Tamaraw project; we will enter this in the IMV 0 in the near future,” Okamoto was quoted as saying in the report.

“Basically FR, but the same as the current Hilux, basically the same structure. Cleaner engine, clean diesel,” the TMP leadership added.

Meanwhile, the President stated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is considering purchasing more Toyota Mini-Cruisers due to the popularity of the Toyota brand in the Philippines, according to a report.

Toyota Tamaraw history

In the Philippines, Toyota debuted the Tamaraw pickup truck for the first time in 1976. Since its very basic and practical beginnings several decades ago, the format of Innova has seen a significant shift.

Models like the Tamaraw with an affordable diesel engine put onto a chassis with a single row of forward-facing seats (not cab-over) and two benches facing inward like a jeepney were originally known as Asian Utility Vehicles (AUV). This kind of vehicle became highly popular in the Philippines, especially in rural regions.

In Indonesia, the truck model was known as Kijang, in India, Qualis, in Vietnam and Taiwan, Zace, in Malaysia, Unser, and in Africa, Stallion, Venture, and Condor.

Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines, Toyota, zigwheels.com

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