Toyota shakes things up with a basic yet bold new Hilux pickup.

Toyota Motor introduced a new variant of its Hilux pickup vehicle on Monday, specifically targeting growing markets in Southeast Asia and other regions. This commercial model is priced up to 20% lower than the conventional version.

The commencement of the Hilux Champ's delivery will take place in Thailand in January. The truck is priced at 459,000 baht ($13,100) and comes with a streamlined cargo bed and cabin. A prototype vehicle was showcased at the Japan Mobility Show in late October.

Toyota will manufacture both gasoline and diesel variants of the car at its Samrong facility in Thailand, initially for distribution in the local market and subsequently in other Southeast Asian nations. The company aims to have a production capacity of up to 38,000 vehicles per year.

According to Toyota Motor Thailand President Noriaki Yamashita, the company aims to cater to the evolving lifestyles of customers.

The Hilux Champ is a member of Toyota's Innovative International Multipurpose Vehicle (IMV) series, specifically designed for emerging markets. Initially introduced in 2004, these vehicles utilize a shared platform to enhance their overall efficiency.

According to Hirotaka Uchida, a partner at consultancy Arthur D. Little, the new pickup truck is designed to strengthen Toyota's commercial vehicle operations. "It provides enhanced adaptability to fulfill diverse customer requirements."