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TOYOTA STRENTHENS ELECTRIC LINE-UP Toyota Professional is enjoying strong growth in the LCV market and the Proace City Electric should continue that trend, says Dan Gilkes.
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hile the current problems that are being experienced by many manufacturers have left the overall van market down across many segments, Toyota Professional is seeing real demand for its growing range of vans and pick-ups. Hilux volumes were up by 65.8% in the year to the end of November, while midweight van sales were up by 10.4%. Unsurprisingly the firm’s small van sales saw the biggest growth, as it only entered the market in the last year with Proace City. However, that range of diesel models has now been joined by 30 VANUSER • DECEMBER/JANUARY 2021/2
Toyota’s second electric van, the Proace City Electric. Based of course on the Stellantis light van and already available as a Combo-E, E-Berlingo and E-Partner, the Proace City Electric joins a rapidly growing sector of the market, with interest in e-LCVs for urban use becoming an increasingly popular option for many. In the year to the end of November, alternatively fuelled LCVs accounted for 4.52% of the market, up from just 1.8% last year. As with the Stellantis vans, the Proace City Electric is offered in two lengths, with a single roof height. This
