Toyota Professional advances with increased product power and leading customer service

• Toyota outlines commercial vehicle growth ambitions with a full and electrified product line-up
• New Proace Max large commercial van completes Toyota’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) range, creating more customer choice than ever before
• Revitalised Proace and Proace City van ranges
• Updated accessories and customisation options
• Toyota customer promise includes wide range of financial products and services
• New retail concept puts a fresh focus on LCVs

Toyota Professional delivers a more comprehensive, electrified choice than ever before with a reinvigorated and expanded line-up of commercial vehicles, complemented by a 360-degree commitment to market-leading customer care.

The Toyota Professional brand was launched in 2019 to bring focus and dedication to Toyota’s LCV presence, in every aspect of the customer experience, from seamless purchase through to dependable quality and trusted after-sales care, all dedicated to keeping businesses on the road.

The Proace and Proace City vans, plus their Verso people carrier variants, have led the way in terms of offering battery electric powertrains, as part of Toyota’s multipath approach to securing carbon neutrality. The Toyota Professional range now includes electrified options of all models, emphasising Toyota’s commitment to providing customers with affordable and practical options to accelerate the pace of CO₂ reduction, whether in their private or business lives, and contribute towards future zero emission mobility.

In addition to the hard-working Proace family, Hilux is a powerful presence in the Toyota Professional line-up, with its tough looks and famous quality, durability and reliability (QDR). Since its launch in Japan in 1968, it has become one of Toyota’s most recognisable workhorse vehicles, at home both around town and on the world’s toughest terrain. Its go-anywhere status is evidenced by three victories on the gruelling Dakar Rally and consecutive FIA World Rally-Raid Championship titles.

A powerful product portfolio, that in the UK also includes Land Cruiser Commercial and Corolla Commercial vans, and a commitment to customer care are at the heart of Toyota Professional’s plans to strengthen its position in the LCV sector. In 2022, Toyota’s new LCV sales amounted to 119,000 units; this year it is on track for a new record of more than 140,000 units. Toyota intends to accelerate this growth, aiming for more than 180,000 sales and a seven per cent market share to become top-six player.

Customer experience

An all-new retail concept, The Toyota Professional Centre, is the starting point for an enhanced customer experience. It’s an expression of the reinvigorated Toyota Professional brand, offering expertise, dedication and a comprehensive customer care package.

Starting in 2024, Toyota Professional Centres in existing dealerships will bring a new focus to commercial vehicles with dedicated maintenance spaces, complemented by a permanent, branded outdoor area. LCV consultants will develop their market-specific expertise with an extensive training programme.

From 2025, stand-alone Toyota Professional Centres will take that commitment and service a step further by adding new features including vehicle maintenance and product promotion, eye-catching outdoor display structures hosting a range of vehicles and examples of accessories and conversions.

Updated Toyota Professional websites, including the convenient “Help Me Choose” feature, make selecting the right vehicle, accessories and finance and insurance products straightforward.

From the moment they drive their new vehicle out of a Toyota Professional Centre, customers will enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a Toyota warranty package that includes an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for battery degradation.

Five years’ roadside assistance is another contribution towards stress-free ownership, providing rapid help any time of the day or night, 365 days a year to get business moving again, or take the vehicle to the nearest Toyota workshop for repairs.

When a customer chooses to part with their Toyota Professional vehicle, the brand’s track record of retaining high residual values across its LCV line-up completes a value-for-money and rewarding ownership experience.

Customer care products and services will be provided by KINTO, Toyota Financial Services and Toyota Insurance Services.

Product power with a full and electrified model range

Toyota Professional’s expanded and renewed line-up features electrified options across the board, matching rugged performance and exceptional load-carrying with efficiency. The range provides versatile, practical options for businesses of all types and reinforces Toyota’s reputation for quality, durability and reliability.

A bold makeover elevates the versatile Proace and Proace City platforms with a striking new frontal design which sets the tone for a contemporary update inside and out. The absence of upper grilles between the headlights creates a sophisticated, distinctive appearance while the trapezoid-shaped lower grille reflects similar designs across the Toyota range. The look is accentuated by new headlamps, including full LED options and alloy wheels on higher grades.

The cabin is finished with a sturdy, comfortable interior trim. All UK versions feature new digital instrument clusters and 10-inch touchscreens for the fully connected infotainment system, which includes built-in navigation. A new leather-trimmed steering wheel enhances comfort and appearance.

The complete Toyota Professional line-up offers extended protection via the latest Toyota Safety Sense package of active safety and driver assistance systems, which feature Adaptive Cruise Control from 30 km/h, Intelligent Speed Assist with optional overspeed alert and an improved Lane Keep Assist. Parking is made easier via Side Parking Assist with Blind Spot Detection, which alerts the driver to approaching vehicles which may be difficult to see during parallel parking. New safety measures have been implemented in the construction of the Proace and Proace City as well, including new front side airbags in the front seats, a new bumper design, collapsible steering column and updated structural parts for greater strength.

Proace

The Proace medium-duty van and Proace Verso people carrier add a strong new appearance to their renowned adaptability and efficiency. Customers have a choice of formats, including a van in medium and long body lengths, while a Crew Cab has an extra row of seats, and a Platform Cab allows bespoke and specialist body types. Proace Verso can carry up to nine passengers in comfort with grades intended for daily working use or as family transport.

The new Proace is available with an electric powertrain which offers zero-emission daily driving with a practical range of up to 217 miles between charges for the 75kWh battery – a distance that’s ample for regular local driving without requiring a daily recharge. A smaller 50kWh battery is also available, with both providing 134bhp/136 DIN hp/100kW of power and the relaxed ride of an EV.

A proven 2.0-litre diesel engine is also available, with outputs up to 177bhp/180 DIN hp/132kW) depending on the transmission. Six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic options are available while a 1.5-litre 118bhp/120 DIN hp/88kW engine with six-speed manual transmission is exclusively available for the Proace van.

As well as the power to get the job done, the Proace van has excellent load-carrying capabilities. It has a maximum load volume of 6.6 m³, with a best-in-class 1,400kg payload and 2,500kg towing capacity.

A compact 1.9m height for the Proace and Proace Verso allows the vehicles to enter standard car parks, while urban manoeuvring is made easier with a 12.4m a turning circle between kerbs (for standard 4.98m-length models).

Proace City

With its smart redesign and class-leading attributes, the Proace City compact panel van and Proace City Verso people carrier – new to the UK market – meet the needs of both business customers and active families. The Verso version can seat up to seven; both models can comfortably accommodate three front passengers.

Proace City has an impressive list of best-in-class qualities, including clever load-carrying solutions which increase space up to a capacity of 4.4 m³. The battery electric model can take an 800kg payload; for the diesel and petrol versions it’s a maximum of 1,000kg.

Toyota knows that a van often serves as a mobile office as well as a means of getting to and from jobs. Proace City conveniently doubles as a well-equipped place of work with top-quality connectivity features, active safety systems and a cabin designed for flexibility and ease-of-use.

The electric powertrain delivers 134bhp/136 DIN hp/100 kW performance from the 55kWh battery. Driving range has been increased to up to 205 miles (WTLP standard), 31 miles further than the current model. When more energy is required, a 100kW DC fast-charging system can recharge the battery up to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes.

The class-leading 1.5-litre diesel has six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmission options, with power output up to 128bhp/130 DIN hp/96kW, depending on the specification.

Expanded Proace and Hilux ranges

The hard-working Proace family now includes the all-new Proace Max, Toyota’s first large commercial van, which achieves accomplished load carrying and class-leading capacity alongside the benefits of all-electric driving.

A high-performance battery electric powertrain brings an effortless drive and a smooth, comfortable ride. Power of 268bhp/272 DIN hp/200 kW combines with a responsive 410Nm of torque and an impressive driving range of up to 261 miles (WTLP standard).

The Toyota Hilux has a new electrified option, the Hilux Hybrid 48V, which brings increased efficiency and enhanced driving performance – on and off road – without compromising the pick-up’s formidable toughness.

The 2.8 litre diesel engine has been strengthened by the addition of a hybrid electric system specifically designed for the special demands of Toyota’s dual-use pick-up, delivering more responsive acceleration, improved braking, a smoother ride and greater fuel efficiency.

A more effective stop-start system responds more quickly and quietly from standstill and, by allowing the engine to remain switched off for longer, improves fuel efficiency by up to 5 per cent, in addition to the other fuel consumption benefits of a hybrid electric powertrain.

A Multi-terrain Select system makes its debut on a Hilux model, providing even better performance and control by adjusting vehicle stability control settings according to the driving conditions. An Auto mode allows the vehicle to select the most appropriate setting; alternatively, the driver can choose one of five pre-set options – Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow or Rock – calibrated to regulate power and wheelspin to enhance traction and manoeuvrability.

Accessories and customisation

The Proace family offers a wide range of accessories and customisation possibilities to give customers options to support a wide range of professional or accessibility requirements.

Proace Max is available in body-on-frame format so customers can specify a specific body to meet their needs. A Platform Cab, with a flat rear deck, and a Chassis Cab, with an exposed ladder frame, provide the foundation for specialist conversions.

Supporting Toyota’s ultimate goal of realising “Mobility for All,” Proace and Proace City can be converted to enable wheelchair access. A lowered floor and foldable rear entry ramp give easy access to the vehicle, with LED illumination for safe operation at night. Additional features include a manual or automatic side step and electric winch.

An extensive accessory list has been developed specifically for the needs of business users, focusing on protection inside and out, load carrying, and security devices. Additional storage on the roof can be gained using roof platforms and racks, while inside the vehicle, a range of racks and storage compartments can be installed.

The new Proace, Proace City and Proace Max will be available in 2024.

ENDS

Note: All performance data for the New Proace, Proace City and Proace Max are provisional prior to homologation. Final specifications will be confirmed at the full product launch.