Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) says it is partnering with Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Automotive Group (WAG) to re-engineer its US-built Tundra pick-up truck into a RHD format for local evaluation and testing.
WAG has previously developed right hand drive Chevrolet Trucks for GM Speciality Vehicles (GMSV) and it also formed a joint venture with the Ateco Group called American Special Vehicles (ASV) to develop right hand drive Ram Trucks for the Australian and New Zealand markets.
TMCA says its focus on ensuring delivery of its quality, durability and reliability attributes is expected to result in one of the most thorough development projects undertaken for a vehicle program of this type in Australia.
After significant development in-house, prototype testing on public roads will begin in September 2022. Starting from quarter four next year, Toyota will deploy approximately 300 of its cars all around Australia, as part of the final stage of the RHD re-engineering program. These vehicles will not be for sale but will involve monitoring under real world usage conditions in Australia.
TMCA says the program is expected to set a new benchmark in Australia for the re-engineering of a full-sized pick-up truck from LHD to RHD. It will include the adoption of key components from Toyota’s global parts catalogue, including the steering column and rack, accelerator, brake pedals and shift lever from the LandCruiser 300 platform.
The vehicles will be equipped with a new inline hybrid system featuring a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 – the most advanced and fuel-efficient powertrain available on this model.
TMCA says an Australian RHD Tundra faces further checkpoints in Toyota’s global approval process before its retail introduction can be confirmed.
Spokesman Sean Hanley says the local company and its dealers were eagerly anticipating being part of this unique program.
“This a dedicated re-engineering program, led by Toyota Australia and made possible by our global partners and is closely supported by our parent company and Toyota North America. It will utilise OE levels of design, development, testing and componentry rooted in Toyota’s deep commitment to quality, durability and reliability,” Hanley says.
“This project shows just how serious we are at Toyota about quality, and a RHD Tundra will not be available for sale in Australia, until we are totally satisfied.
“We are really excited to get such a significant project to this stage, and look forward to seeing development prototypes on our roads and test tracks in the weeks and months ahead,” he says.
