Dutch automotive powerhouse Stellantis has announced this week it will expand its partnership with Toyota Motor Europe to deliver in Europe a new large-size commercial van which will include a battery electric model.
The new commercial van marks the third light commercial vehicle (LCV) body type under the agreement between the two companies and will sit alongside the compact- and mid-size LCVs already on offer.
Stellantis will supply Toyota Motor Europe with the new large-size commercial van for sale in Europe under the Toyota brand. The large-size LCV will be produced at Stellantis plants in Gliwice, Poland and Atessa, Italy, and is expected to make its entry to the market in 2024.
It will be Toyota Motor Europe’s first entry into the large-size commercial vehicle segment.
“Operational excellence is by definition recognised in this expanded deal,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO.
“With this third successful engagement, Stellantis is further demonstrating its expertise in the commercial vehicle segment and in developing battery electric technology built to support a full range of needs.
“This agreement strengthens our leadership in the EU30 for LCVs and low emission vehicles and moves us a step closer to realising our Dare Forward 2030 goal of becoming the undisputed global light commercial vehicle leader, in terms of technology, manufacturing, market share and profitability.”
The precise details of the large-size LCV are unknown at this point, but it is likely that the new Toyota van would be similar to Stellantis’ other large vans – including the Peugeot Boxer, Fiat Ducato, Citroen Jumper, Opel Movano, and Vauxhall Movano, all of which are available with a diesel or all-electric powertrain.
However, it is unclear whether the Toyota van will be based on the next generation of these vans or not, considering that we do know the new large-size LCV won’t make its appearance until 2024.
Stellantis and Toyota Motor Europe first began collaborating in 2012 with the launch of a Toyota mid-size LCV produced at Stellantis’ Hordain plant in France, which was followed in 2019 by the addition of a compact-size LCV, produced at Stellantis’ plant in Vigo, Spain.
“We are pleased that we can extend this successful partnership through the introduction of a new large-size commercial van,” said Matt Harrison, president and CEO at Toyota Motor Europe.
“It represents an important addition and completes our light commercial line-up for Toyota’s European customers. The new LCV will represent a key contribution to Toyota’s growth targets for its overall LCV line-up, alongside the Hilux pick-up, Proace and Proace City, enabling Toyota to provide a mobility solution in all segments of the LCV market.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
