UNPRECENTED
The countdown has long been ticking for the official grand launch of Toyota Motor Philippines’ much-awaited Project IMV0–or otherwise known as the Next-Generation Toyota Tamaraw.
The long wait is over, finally.
Recently, the vehicle, in a momentous ceremony, officially rolled off at the Japanese carmaker’s own headquarters in Santa Rosa, Laguna. The significant affair was attended by dignitaries, stakeholders, and guests from the automotive and bank industries, as well as the media.
After this, the official grand launch of the Next-Generation Toyota Tamaraw is slated to take place on December 6 and will be displayed in various malls nationwide until December 8. The said grand launch will happen simultaneously in these eight selected malls: Glorietta Ayala Mall in Makati City; SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City; Trinoma Mall in Quezon City; Ayala Malls Solenad in Santa Rosa, Laguna; SM City Pampanga in San Fernando; SM City Cebu; SM Lanang in Davao City, and Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.
According to TMP, the said simultaneous grand launches have never been done before, attesting to the significance of the vehicle in the local automotive scene.
“Wonder vehicle” comeback
Since last year, the Japanese carmaker has been making a buzz about the comeback of its once “Wonder Vehicle.” Back in the 90s, this Asian Utility Vehicle was its flagship model as it was perfectly built to handle our country’s own landscape and extreme shifts in climate. Back then, it instantly captured the hearts of buyers looking for a tough, value-for-money vehicle that caters to their various needs and purposes. The Filipinos’ ardor with the vehicle was instantly embedded into our own culture.
With its return, TMP saw, not just the sentimental value of its impeccable workhorse, but also how it can bring back the Tamaraw’s glory days. As they see it, eventually, Filipinos of this generation would realize how the vehicle can again be useful in their everyday lives–like how it once was in the 90s.
According to TMP, they sold about 140,000 units of the Tamaraw nameplate in the 90’s all the way to the early 2000s. The number includes model variants such as the FX and Revo.
However, despite the Tamaraw’s success in its heydays, TMP president Masando Hashimoto shared his own reservations about meeting the same level of expectations the vehicle once had in this day and age.
“This will be a very big challenge for us,” he shared, pertaining to the Tamaraw’s potential against other more established big players in the industry.
He further explained that the Japanese carmaker has been focusing its efforts on the passenger vehicle segments for the past two decades.
“We’re confident in the passenger vehicle segment. But in the commercial vehicle segment, not so much,” he added.
Nonetheless, he said they’re still determined to sell 1,500 to 1,800 units of the Tamaraw every month. Meanwhile, annually, the company is targeting to produce more than 20,000 units from its manufacturing plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
To further create a buzz with the hopes of touching on the Filipino’s sentiments, the Next-Generation Toyota Tamaraw was first reportedly seen in one of the races of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Vios Cup last year as a pace car. Next, it then made its appearance in TMP’s 35th anniversary celebration. After that, a few selected members of the local motoring media personally saw it in the metal at the Toyota Road Trek held in Davao sometime in June this year. Then, various dealership visits happened and finally, at the Philippine International Motor Show last October, the public was able to likewise personally see it in the flesh.
In turn, the vehicle was warmly welcomed and, in fact, gained high praises for its “bulkier features” and “various functionalities.”
Variants of the next-generation workhorse
As we look forward to the eight simultaneous grand launches of the Next-Generation Toyota Tamaraw, here’s what to expect of the variants to be made available in the local market.
First is the Utility Van LWB (long wheelbase) which has a 14-passenger capacity. It measures 5305 mm long, 1795 mm wide, 2100 mm tall, and has a 3085 mm wheelbase. Payload capacity is 885 kg and is powered by a 2.4L 2GD-FTV turbo-diesel engine that makes 149 hp and 343 N-m of torque.
Next is the SWB (short wheelbase) version of the Tamaraw Utility Van which can accommodate 12 passengers. It only measures 4970 mm long and has a 2750 mm wheelbase. Payload is 830 kg. The vehicle is powered by a 2.0L 1TR-FE four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 138 hp and 183 N-m of torque.
There’s also the Aluminum Van, a two-seater utility vehicle with a large aluminum box at the back. It has a 1,015-kg cargo-carrying capacity, while it is powered by a 2.4L 2GDFTV turbo-diesel, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.
Another option is the Dropside pickup truck, measuring 5305 mm long, 1795 mm wide, 1711 mm tall, and sports a 3085-mm wheelbase. The Dropside also gets the highest cargo-carrying capacity rated at 1,125 kg. At its heart is likewise a 2.4L 2GD-FTV turbo-diesel engine.
This variant has an automatic version, the Tamaraw Dropside Hi. This particular variant gets a more powerful version of the 2GD-FTV, churning out 149 hp and 400 N-m of torque. While payload capacity for this drop-side pickup is 1100 kg.
