A hybrid version of the second-best selling vehicle in Australia, the Toyota HiLux dual-cab ute, has not been totally ruled out by the Japanese brand’s boss in Australia, John Pappas.

Speaking exclusively to WhichCar by Wheels, Pappas suggested that “if a hybrid powertrain became available for our market, we would definitely consider it”.

But while he wouldn’t rule out a hybrid HiLux completely, Pappas stressed that any hybrid version of the second-best selling vehicle in Australia would have to meet the requirements and expectations of buyers, the majority of whom are fleet, government and ABN holders such as tradies.

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“Right now, we don’t have a powertrain-hybrid option available to us in Australia for HiLux,” Pappas said. “And until we can have [something] – whether it’s a hybrid – that can deliver the same tool [of the] trade […] to meet the customer requirements, then we will consider it.”

While hybrid remains off the table for now, Pappas added that expanding the HiLux’s portfolio to include battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell variants that specifically target fleet buyers was a sign of Toyota’s commitment to “de-carbonisation”.

“We’re now going into a BEV [HiLux], which is targeted… and then we’re also looking at launching a [hydrogen] fuel cell EV in 2028 for HiLux, again, very targeted at fleet [buyers].”

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Asked if Toyota was also considering a plug-in hybrid HiLux to combat the growing popularity of the BYD Shark 6, Pappas said “we’re always considering powertrain options, together with TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation). We’re working with the engineering side of TMC on a raft of things. We’ve got nothing to announce here today… but what we do know is that right now, for the job that it needs to do for rural Australia, the diesel HiLux is that vehicle.”

Toyota axed all petrol-powered variants of the HiLux with the launch of the ninth-generation model late last year, the new range solely powered by diesel. The eighth-generation’s entry-level Workmate remains the last HiLux variant fitted with the brand’s 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It was dropped for the 2024 model year with remaining stock sold into 2025.