Confirmed, Toyota Will Soon Produce Kijang Innova Hybrid This Year

 The puzzle of Toyota's first electric vehicle product produced in Indonesia was answered already. 

After Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita announced Toyota's plans during President Joko Widodo's visit to toyota factory in Karawang, West Java, Tuesday (2/15/2022). This is a ceremony to achieve the export production of 2 million units and the first shipment to Australia.

Agus revealed, Toyota has planned to show its commitment in producing electrified vehicles. It started with the production of Kijang Innova Hybrid.

Confirmed, Toyota Will Soon Produce Kijang Innova Hybrid This Year

"Toyota is also committed to the production of electrification vehicles starting with the production of Kijang Hybrid and we will continue to support and encourage the acceleration of electrification or electric vehicles," Agus said in his speech.

The production plan for electric vehicles was actually revealed some time ago. Toyota considers hybrid technology to be in the category of electric vehicles or electrification. This understanding is different from most people who think electric vehicles are vehicles with pure electric power and drive and batteries.

The production plan for electric vehicles was actually revealed some time ago. Toyota considers hybrid technology to be in the category of electric vehicles or electrification. This understanding is different from most people who think electric vehicles are vehicles with pure electric power and drive and batteries.

The locally produced electric vehicle plan has also been stated by Toyota at the end of 2021. At that time Marketing Director of PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM) Anton Jimmy Suwandi confirmed that in the future there will be new technology that slides in Indonesia. Including electrification models.

"We are committed in 2022 there will be a hybrid local production product. The hope is to provide prices and products that are more suitable for the people of Indonesia, this is a product that we excel, in the future increase electrification products and CO2 emissions in Indonesia," Anton said in a press conference at the end of 2021.

This plan was also revealed by Director of Administration, Corporate, and External Relations of PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) Bob Azzam who revealed that this electric vehicle model will definitely be produced in Indonesia. But at that time Toyota was still closing what models were likely to get electrification technology.

"So there are two alternatives, making a completely new product or making a hybrid car product from models that already exist in the market. So we in 2022 will start the production of electric cars that are hybrid. If we consider the existing automotive industry, we are more hybrid models that already exist. So that we can keep the supply chain there, new technology we can adopt. Especially if the model has been accepted in the export market, so at the same time for domestic and export. You can guess which model," Bob said at the time.

At that time the guess was already narrowed to the MPV models that were already present. Among the guesses are Veloz models produced at Toyota and Innova factories.

"So this electrification is indeed we have prepared hybrdi models we hope can be received well in Indonesia," said Bob.

Toyota currently offers several models with hybrid technology. Call it the Corolla Cross Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, Corolla Altis Hybrid, and C-HR Hybrid. Under the Lexus brand there is a pure electric car that is UX 300 e which was introduced in 2021.

"The average CBU electrification product, both Toyota and Lexus are from Thailand, Japan. But in the future we have committed to make environmentally friendly products more affordable. In 2022, CKD localization for electrification products as well. Hopefully this is a win win solution consumers can also get products that are more in accordance with the needs of the people of Indonesia. Hopefully the price is more affordable, "said Bob.

Actually, the leak of Toyota's plan from the Minister of Industry is not the first time echoed. Last year, the Minister of Industry also sent a signal in his presentation material that Toyota will present the Kijang Hybrid in 2022. Although many information is more interested in the possibility of Veloz becoming a hybrid considering the price that will be offered later is still below Rp500 million. If Innova added Hybrid technology there is a possibility of the price at Rp500 million although again see what hybrid technology will be embedded in the legendary MPV.

This is an important question because basically providing hybrid technology will certainly change the platform used by a product. Maybe the movers are changing. Since the beginning of Innova using rear drive, the possibility of adding a hybrid battery can turn it into a front drive aka FWD.

Even with the engine. When looking at products that currently use hybrids there is likely to be the same engine from the Camry, Prius, Corolla Cross or C-HR. It could be a 1,500 cc M15A-FXE engine, a 1,800 cc 2ZR-FXE engine, a 2,000 cc M20A-FXS engine, or a 2,500 cc A25A-FXS engine. Of course, the application of this technology can not just paste to ensure maximum use. This hybrid option is also likely to leave the ladder frame chassis that has been used by Innova.

Of course, the community is waiting for this latest Kijang Innova Hybrid product with hope, still affordable and still provides the advantages provided by Innova so far. This affordable problem certainly returns to their respective funds, is it with standards at Rp500 million, this Hybrid Innova is still interesting to look at? Or for early adopters, any price doesn't matter? Of course we will pay attention some time in the future related to the emergence of Toyota's latest hybrid MPV.