Toyota to launch 4 new hybrid models in Thailand this year; reiterates multi-pathway strategy for ASEAN

Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) will be introducing four new hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in the country this year, announced its President, Noriaki Yamashita at the ongoing 44th Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) 2023.

"I want to share the good news that we will introduce 4 new HEV models in this year. They [will] meet the variety of Thai customers' needs further. And more importantly, they will further contribute to the reduction of CO2," he said.

None of these models were announced or hinted just yet, but guessing at least a couple of them won't be too difficult – one should be the Toyota Innova Zenix (already in Indonesia), and the other, the 2023 AC100 Toyota Vios Hybrid.

There's precedence on the latter. WapCar.my broke the news in December 2022 that Toyota are working on "hybrid A- and B- segment vehicles" and would like to "introduce them as soon as possible in our ASEAN markets", according to Yoshiki Konishi, President of Toyota Daihatsu Engineering & Manufacturing (TDEM).

Also read: Hybrid D92A Toyota Vios all but confirmed for Malaysia; updated powertrain, coming to ASEAN 'very soon'

A Vios Hybrid would fit right in the market currently, seeing as close rival Honda offers the City e:HEV hybrid. Nissan was in the thick of making an electrified Almera too, but news has been sparse about it in recent times.

At point of publishing, Toyota portfolio contains 6 electrified cars in Thailand: 5 of them hybrids, with the sole electric (BEV) bZ4X.

Also read: First look at the Malaysian-spec Toyota bZ4X EV, launching in Malaysia soon

Doubling-down on alternative solutions beyond BEVs (petrol/LPG-electric hybrids, hydrogen) have always been Toyota's focus, and this announcement dovetails that sentiment.

The company's booth at BIMS this year put the hybrid all-new 2023 Toyota Prius next to the Hilux BEV Concept; almost symbolic if you think about it.

Going beyond road cars, Toyota through their commercial vehicle tie-up CJPT (Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation) will be exhibiting several low/zero-emissions transport in Thailand this week too.

Also read: More than cars, Toyota is showcasing commercial BEVs and its alternatives in Thailand this week through CJPT