• First electrified Toyota in Indonesia
• Possible October 2022 roll-out
• Could make its way to our market

Toyota has been rolling out its vehicles in Indonesia for a long time but this year marks a huge leap forward as it begins production of electrified vehicles across the straits; beginning with what could very well be the Toyota Kijang Hybrid that the Indonesian Minister of Industry let slip. The Kijang is sold here as the Innova.

During a statement addressing Toyota’s export to Australia, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita let slip the figure of the first electrification vehicle that will be produced by Toyota in Indonesia.

He went on to mention that PT Toyota had expressed a commitment to produce various models of electrified vehicles and the Kijang Hybrid will be the first of many. Nonetheless, there are doubts regarding that as the current IMV platform underpinning the Kijang wasn’t developed with electrification in mind.

Also Read: Indonesia set to receive 10 new EVs from Toyota, including Innova Hybrid

Therefore, speculation leads us to believe that the Kijang might be in for a model change as it gets electrified.

However, the switch to a hybrid does raise concerns regarding the market demographic for the Kijang as traditionally its buyers prioritise reliability and robustness. A hybrid powertrain might dissuade them from that fact.

Also Read: Pros and Cons: Very practical, but the 2021 Toyota Innova 2.0X needs more power

Additional information leaked to the editor of AutonetMagz that broke this story is that the Kijang Hybrid could possibly roll out in October 2022. Nonetheless, the only thing that’s known for sure is that the Kijang Hybrid will be the first electrified car produced by Toyota Indonesia.

The website went on to quote unnamed sources stating a new project codenamed 560B that took the shape of a medium-sized MPV. This could very well be the new Kijang with a hybrid powertrain though it might enter the market sporting the Innova badge on its rear hatch. It should slot in between the current Toyota Veloz and Toyota Kijang Innova.

Also Read: Ratings: 2021 Toyota Innova 2.0X – Excellent comfort, but not fuel-efficient

It won’t be an Indonesian-only model, meaning it could replace the Innova in other markets and badged as the Innova Hybrid. Those very same sources mention it’ll use a monocoque frame be front-wheel drive.

Seeing that Toyota Malaysia is fully charged in its electrification direction here, it could very well mean that the 560B/Innova Hybrid will make its way here as well.

The current Innova is a CKD model at Toyota’s Shah Alam plant; the very same place that assembled the previous Camry Hybrid. Therefore, it’s capable of hybrid assembly although the Corolla Cross Hybrid is assembled at Toyota’s new Bukit Raja plant. Either way, it looks promising that a hybrid Innova could be on the cards.