There are no plans to release such a machine yet
Toyota has recently expanded its lineup with new models like the Crown and Grand Highlander, but there's still one vehicle the company is missing: a compact pickup truck.
Pickup trucks are bigger than ever, allowing smaller versions like the Ford Maverick to find plenty of buyers. Despite the new segment, Toyota has no immediate plans to offer a Maverick competitor, according to Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota North America.
At the same time, Ogawa told Automotive News that the company «is considering options in this area» and discusses opportunities in this segment with executives in Japan. He noted that compact and midsize trucks present opportunities for electrification, which poses a challenge in keeping prices affordable.
Maverick became popular due to its affordable price and hybrid powertrain. The pickup costs a little more today than when it first went on sale in 2022, but that hasn't slowed sales. Sales jumped 26.5% last year to 94,054, and in the first three months of 2024 sales were up a whopping 82%, with Ford selling nearly 40,000 units.
The Maverick's original MSRP was under $20,000. Today, the entry-level Maverick with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine starts at $25,515.
So far, the Maverick only competes with the Hyundai Santa Cruz.