Why did Toyota choose Philippines for the Hiace world premiere?

Ask a random person to name a car brand in our country and chances are Toyota will top your list. It’s no surprise, really, as Toyota has been synonymous with the Philippine automotive industry, helping shape the car landscape to what it is today. Toyota holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos, and it seems that the Japanese carmaker hasn’t forgotten about our love for anything with their badge. So much so that Toyota has found it fitting to hold the world premiere of their extremely popular people carrier in the Philippines.

By the time you read this, you would have already seen the photos and various articles circulating online about the 2019 Toyota Hiace. The 2019 model is a huge departure from the Hiace we all know and love, and it’s a good thing in more ways than one. You can read all about the specifications and details on the eagerly anticipated Toyota Hiace here. Let’s talk about how the next-generation Hiace found its way to the Philippines, bestowing on us the honor of seeing and experiencing it before anyone else in the world.

Mr. Satoru Suzuki, president of Toyota Motor Philippines, expressed great excitement, as this Hiace was to be the safest, most comfortable, and the best one yet. Since its local introduction in 1994, countless Filipinos have enjoyed the Toyota Hiace, be it on long roadtrips or as a family van that serves the needs of growing families. Even the government sector has used the Toyota Hiace, fulfilling the needs of communities and providing services for medical, transport, and delivery. The debut of the 2019 Toyota Hiace comes at a great time for Toyota Motors Philippines, celebrating their 17th consecutive Triple Crown victory, and at a time when they have been releasing major products that set the bar for their segments.

In our country, the Toyota Hiace holds a whopping total market share of 56% in the utility van segment. Out of 150 countries around the world, Toyota Motor Philippines is the number one distributor of the Toyota Hiace outside of Japan, further reinforcing the fact that the Filipino has truly embraced their people carrier. All eyes were on us, and it felt good to have the Philippines on the global automotive map for a few hours. So, why do we get to see the Hiace before anyone else? Because no other van has transcended the Filipino mobility psyche as much as the Hiace. And it looks like it’s here to stay.