With the introduction of the all-new Proace Max, the development of the Toyota Professional line-up of light commercial vehicles has reached a significant milestone.

According to a statement by the automaker, not only does the new model take Toyota into Europe’s heavy-duty van market for the first time, it also completes a range that gives the brand a presence in all the principal LCV market segments.

Proace Max takes its place alongside the updated and restyled Proace medium-duty van, the compact Proace City and their Verso people carrier counterparts, all of which adopt a powerful new family design identity.

In addition, the legendary Hilux pick-up gains enhanced performance with the upcoming introduction of the Hilux Hybrid 48V mild hybrid.

Together these models cover a wide range of customer requirements, not just by delivering best-in-class qualities but by also offering battery electric powertrain options across the board. This breadth of choice aligns with Toyota’s multi-path technology strategy which deploys different solutions that can reduce CO2 emissions while offering the affordability, practicality and flexibility that customers need.

Day-to-day running will be made easier with the benefit of Toyota connected services, which Toyota intends to introduce in 2025 on all Toyota Professional models. Using the MyToyota app, customers and fleet managers will be able to check up-to-the-moment vehicle status information and remotely control functions such as door locking/unlocking and air conditioning. For battery electric versions there will be extra functions to help schedule efficient charging and to locate convenient public chargepoints.

Toyota Professional is about much more than the products, however. It includes a commitment to customer-focused service, with purpose-designed products and services. These range from specialist sales staff and technicians, finance, insurance and warranty products and a multitude of opportunities for vehicles to be adapted for different uses, from accessories to multiple conversion possibilities.

The powerful product portfolio and the commitment to customer care combine to support Toyota Professional’s growth ambitions. In 2023, Toyota’s European LCV business achieved a new sales record with more than 140,000 units delivered across Europe. The company intends to build on this success with its new and renewed model range, targeting sales of 170,000 units and a market share of seven per cent in 2025.

In the UK, Toyota Professional sales reached a new record of 19,314 units in 2023, with Hilux up 50 per cent year-on-year and the Proace family growing by 60 per cent.

THE TOYOTA PROFESSIONAL PROMISE

The Toyota Promise provides every Toyota Professional customer with a unique package of peace-of-mind benefits linked to their vehicle.

An industry-leading comprehensive warranty package is provided on all vehicles. All vehicles enjoy standard cover of three years/60,000 miles. In addition, the high-voltage battery on EV models benefits from eight years/100,000 miles warranty protection.

On all Toyota vehicles, the warranty can be extended up to maximum 10 years/100,000 miles. Once the new vehicle warranty period has passed, a further one year/10,000 miles warranty is provided each time the vehicle undergoes a qualifying service at an authorised Toyota workshop, at no additional cost to the customer.

In the event something goes wrong, Toyota roadside assistance is on hand, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide rapid help to get business moving again, or to take the vehicle to the nearest Toyota workshop for repairs.

If their vehicle is off the road for service or maintenance, the customer can access a replacement vehicle, bookable in advance and available for collection at times to suit their business needs – early morning, late evening or on Saturdays (subject to vehicle availability).

Vehicle downtime can also be minimised with the option of Express Service, which sees two technicians allocated to a vehicle, using a workstation dedicated to Light Commercial Vehicles. Potentially this can see routine maintenance tasks being completed twice as quickly. This service is scheduled for introduction during 2025.

Toyota offers finance, insurance and leasing/contract hire products tailored to the Toyota Professional range, provided by Toyota Financial Services, Toyota Insurance Services and its pan-European mobility business KINTO.

THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Toyota has produced a new retail concept to showcase its professional line-up and deliver a customer-focused experience. The Toyota Professional Centres are an expression of the reinvigorated Toyota Professional brand, offering expert assistance in both showroom and workshop.

The new centres will be rolled out in existing dealerships, giving a new focus on commercial vehicles with a dedicated display and maintenance area, complemented by a permanent outdoor branded showroom. Sales personnel are undergoing dedicated training to acquire specialist expertise.

From 2025, standalone Toyota Professional Centres will take the LCV commitment and service a step further, introducing new features including service and product promotions, eye-catching outdoor display structures and showcasing of accessories and conversions.

The enhanced experience will also extend to Toyota Professional’s online presence with the website offering a “help me choose” feature to advise customers on the best vehicle and configuration to suit their needs, together with straightforward information about Toyota’s competitive finance and insurance products.

Introducing The Heavy-Duty Proace Max

Toyota Professional has proved its competitiveness in the compact and medium-duty van markets over the past few years. Now it’s ready to take the next step with its first heavy-duty van, taking it into the largest and highest-value segment.

Proace Max becomes the largest member of the Toyota Professional line-up. With two wheelbase sizes, three lengths and two height options, it’s offered in several configurations to cover a wide range of load-carrying requirements. In its largest form, it has a best-in-class load volume of 17m3. Accessing this space is made easy thanks to full-height rear doors and a low threshold.

The battery electric Proace Max has a driving range of up to 260 miles (WLTP standard), distance enough for businesses to cover local itineraries without having to recharge every day. Charging to 80 per cent using a 150kW fast-charging system takes around just 55 minutes. A diesel powertrain is also available, with manual or automatic transmission.

Around 90 per cent of heavy-duty vans sold in Europe have some form of customisation or are fitted with accessories appropriate for their usage. The Proace Max offers a wealth of conversion opportunities. Factory-delivered options include platform and chassis cab versions, tippers and a drop-side model; further special adaptations can be carried out by Toyota-certified converters. The range of accessories is extensive, to enhance load carrying, security, protection for the load space and practicality.

The Proace Max introduces a new Proace family exterior design with a strong, purposeful frontal treatment. The equipment specification includes a new multimedia system with 10-inch touchscreen and access to cloud-based navigation. An extended range of Toyota safety technologies as standard provides peace of mind, protecting the vehicle and its occupants.

The new model is manufactured by Stellantis at its plants in Gliwice, Poland (Battery-electric versions), and Atessa, Italy (diesel versions). Production began in mid-July this year and the vehicle is already available to order in some European markets. Customer deliveries are expected to start with diesel models in September, followed by electric vehicles from November.

The 2024 Proace and Proace City

The versatile Proace and Proace City vans and respective Verso people carriers feature eye-catching styling updates, adopting a family look that connects them visually with their sister Proace Max model.

The medium-duty Proace van’s battery electric powertrain offers a driving range extended to up to 213 miles. At the same time, it provides cargo capacity to match its performance with up to 6.6m3 and the ability to carry payloads of up to 1,400kg. In Verso specification, there is comfortable seating for up to nine people.

The compact Proace City also provides exceptional load space for its class, with a maximum of 4.4m3 on offer and the strength to take payloads of up to 1,000 kg, depending on the powertrain selected. As with Proace, the electric model benefits from revisions to its battery, increasing the maximum range to 213 miles. The van version comfortably accommodates three front-seat passengers while the Verso has space for up to seven.

The Proace and Proace City are also available with a range of diesel powertrains and are produced by Stellantis at its plants in Hordain, France and Vigo, Spain.

The New Hilux Hybrid 48V

The Toyota Professional line-up also includes the new Hilux Hybrid 48V, a version of the redoubtable pick-up that uses a 48V hybrid system based on its established 2.8-litre engine.

This delivers improved throttle response and smoother, linear acceleration, in addition to the Hilux’s world-famous durability and reliability. Regenerative braking and a more efficient stop-and-start system making for a more comfortable and efficient drive. Off-road control and stability are aided by the addition of a new Multi-Terrain Select system with settings for a range of different conditions, together with an Auto mode that responds seamlessly to the prevailing conditions

There is no compromise on the Hilux’s payload and towing capacities, which remain exceptional at 1,040 kg and 3,500kg respectively.

The new Hilux Hybrid 48V will be manufactured at Toyota’s Prospecton factory in Durban, South Africa. Production for European markets will start towards the end of 2024.