The brand new Toyota LandCruiser Prado, aka the LandCruiser 250 Collection, has been revealed with a brand new turbocharged hybrid powertrain.

It’s conspicuously absent from the corporate’s native particulars, although.

As an alternative, Toyota Australia will stick to a diesel-only line-up. Does diesel nonetheless promote on this section? You wager. However ought to Toyota be strolling the stroll on hybrids throughout its line-up? Completely.

Embarrassingly for Toyota, which put hybrid know-how on the map in Australia, it’s set to be crushed to market with a hybrid off-roader by GWM.

Not solely that, GWM is about to introduce a hybrid ute by the top of the 12 months, and but there’s no hybrid HiLux to be seen – there’s one with a 48V mild-hybrid system, however Toyota is correctly avoiding calling it a hybrid.

There’s a hybrid model of the brand new, left-hand drive-only Tacoma, whereas to Toyota’s credit score it has all however confirmed the hybrid Tundra for an area launch. And but GWM can have two, probably three body-on-frame, hybrid-powered autos throughout the subsequent 12 months, and Toyota seems set to have maybe one.

This is similar firm that was gradual to introduce its hybrid crossovers in Australia.

It had a hybrid model of its Kluger/Highlander all the best way again in 2005, however it took till 2021 for one to seem right here. The RAV4 Hybrid, which accounts for the lion’s share of RAV4 gross sales, was launched with the fourth-generation mannequin overseas however solely appeared right here with the present, fifth technology.

It’s baffling as a result of hybrids now account for a major chunk of Toyota gross sales in Australia, to the purpose the place ready lists are blowing out.

Final 12 months, hybrids accounted for 67 per cent of Kluger gross sales, 75 per cent of Yaris Cross gross sales, 76 per cent of RAV4 gross sales, 77 per cent of Corolla Cross gross sales, and 80 per cent of Camry gross sales.

Ought to the HiLux, Prado and LandCruiser 300 Collection achieve hybrid choices right here, we would count on these take charges to be a bit decrease – significantly if they will’t match the towing capability of the equal diesel fashions.

Nevertheless it’s solely attainable that, as the advantages of hybrids are recognised in these segments, take charges may improve quickly.

There are additionally looming federal emissions requirements, presaged by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ voluntary normal. Hybrid variations of massive diesel Toyotas may assist drive down emissions for Australia’s new automotive parc, given Toyota’s juggernaut standing Down Beneath.

Alas, by bringing the Prado right here solely as a diesel, Toyota is lacking out on the chance to indicate a wholly new section of patrons how a fuel-sipping hybrid – the identical know-how it loudly touts as serving to deliver down emissions – may work for them.

As an alternative, it’ll be GWM – a model that launched its first hybrid in Australia solely round a 12 months in the past – which will probably be serving to to pave the best way for market acceptance of massive hybrid utes and SUVs.

Not solely may GWM find yourself main in these hybrid segments with the absence of a direct rival from Toyota, it may siphon off gross sales – together with different manufacturers like Honda and Nissan – from the segments through which Toyota does already provide a hybrid, significantly if provide shortages proceed to chunk.

Oh what a sense.