Toyota prepares for unprecedented product programme in 2025
New and enhanced models, the roll-out of advanced technologies, a series of prestigious awards and multiple sporting successes characterised Toyota’s achievements in 2024. The year ahead promises to maintain the momentum of headline-making activities, led by an unprecedented programme of significant new model introductions.
The company has strengthened its multi-path technology approach towards achieving meaningful and sustainable reductions in CO2 emissions and a carbon-neutral future, introducing new battery electric, plug-in hybrid and full hybrid models and demonstrating the real-world potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source.
While details of many of this year’s expected introduction remain under wraps for now, two newcomers have already been confirmed.
First of these is the new Hilux 48V, a mild hybrid version of Toyota’s all-conquering pick-up that combines enhanced performance both on and off-road with improved fuel economy.
Second is the all-new Urban Cruiser, a battery electric compact SUV that will be launched during the third quarter of this year.
Toyota’s 2024 highlights
January Toyota entered 2024 on the back of a record UK sales performance and whetted the public’s appetite with the promise of a new and improved GR Yaris, its universally acclaimed, World Rally-bred performance hatchback. Corolla, meanwhile, demonstrated its enduring quality and market appeal, with both the Hatchback and Touring Sports collecting class honours in the What Car? Awards.
February The development of Toyota’s multi-path strategy towards zero carbon was supported by the announcement of new all-electric Proace Verso and Proace City Verso people carriers. The all-new Prius plug-in hybrid was also confirmed for sale in the UK.
March Spring brought further new product news with the introduction of a new, more powerful hybrid powertrain option for Yaris and the launch of the plug-in hybrid version of the all-new Toyota C-HR.
April Anticipation of the arrival of the all-new Land Cruiser increased with the release of further technical information about the model’s performance capabilities and confirmation of the UK model line-up and pricing.
May Toyota celebrated 30 years of RAV4 – the original recreational SUV – while welcoming the new GR Sport II range-topping version of Hilux, another of the brand’s legendary models.
June Future technology was showcased in the first public demonstrations of the hydrogen fuel cell Hilux prototype. Developed by a Toyota-led consortium and produced by Toyota Manufacturing UK at its Burnaston car plant in Derbyshire, the prototype explores the potential for using hydrogen as a clean energy source for an electric pick-up. The month also yielded further significant honours, including the manufacturer of the year title in the Autocar Awards and three class wins in the Auto Express Driver Power survey.
July Toyota’s stars of high summer were the new GR Yaris and a new version of Yaris Cross, benefiting from the more powerful hybrid system that debuted in the Yaris hatchback earlier in the year. The Goodwood Festival of Speed, showcased the breadth and vision of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s activities while the Olympics and Paralympics Paris 2024 saw some of the company’s mobility innovations in action, helping realise the aim of providing mobility for all.
August The month opened with Toyota (GB) congratulating its ambassador Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix on winning her first Olympic medal in the diving pool. In other news, sales began of Proace Max, Toyota’s first heavy duty van – including an all-electric version.
September Toyota and BMW agreed to strengthen their collaboration on harnessing the potential of hydrogen technologies to help secure future carbon neutrality. They announced co-operation on development a third generation fuel cell system that will feature in future new models from both companies.
October This was a month of achievement with Toyota Gazoo Racing retaining their manufacturer’s title in the World Rally-Raid Championship and Toyota Manufacturing UK celebrating delivery of the five-millionth British-built Toyota. Suzuki and Toyota announced deeper collaboration, including Suzuki’s supply of a new battery electric SUV to Toyota.
November A clean sweep of top-level motorsport world championships was accomplished with Toyota Gazoo Racing retaining their top spot in the both the FIA World Rally Championship and World Endurance Championship. Toyota was once again named manufacturer of the year – this time in the TopGear.com Awards.
December The year concluded with the world premiere of the all-new, all-electric Toyota Urban Cruiser, a compact SUV that will reach the road late in 2025.
ENDS
