With the Camry, RAV4, and likely HiLux reusing existing platforms, Toyota believes it can remain competitive with older technology.
Toyota has no qualms reusing and updating existing platforms for ‘new-generation’ products, according to a local executive, as they are proven and reliable for customer’s needs.
Though the brand recently launched the ninth-generation Camry, and new-generation version of the RAV4 is due soon, both share the same underpinnings as their predecessors with fresh sheetmetal to keep them looking fresh.
The crucial next-generation HiLux is also rumoured to recycle the existing car’s architecture, extending the life of the ladder-frame IMV platform beyond 20 years.
However, reusing platforms is not a sign of stagnation, according to Toyota Australia Sales and Marketing boss Sean Hanley, who told Drive that if an existing architecture can still be competitive, it will remain.
“Platforms will move, but there’s no need to move at this point – at all,” Hanley said.
“I mean these platforms are working very well for us, we can achieve all the things we need to achieve globally with the platforms we've got.”
This does not mean new cars will feel the same as the old ones, according to Hanley, with improvements to noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), suspension compliance, and powertrain calibration all expected in new-generation products.
And while recycling a tried-and-trusted platform does yield cost benefits for Toyota, Hanley said another benefit is reliability.
“Of course, platforms will move, always, but motor cars are complex machines now, and they’re costly,” Hanley said.
“Toyota is very much focused on quality, durability, reliability, and the current platforms deliver on all of those things – and that’s important to us.
“And as technology evolves, as efficiency of build evolves, platforms will evolve.”
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
