Toyota PH to make PUV Class 1 version of Hilux Tamaraw?

PUV Class 1 version of Tamaraw in the works?

* Disclaimer: Main image is only an artist's impression of the model and does not depict the exact look of the vehicle. *

Toyota Motor Philippines is indeed pushing for the new Tamaraw to be the king of versatility for business owners with plenty of body conversions to choose from. But this time, it looks like TMP is opening up the possibility of offering the Tamaraw for public transportation.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has released the homologation documents for a certain Toyota Hilux Tamaraw PUV Class 1. Based on the information, the Tamaraw PUV Class 1 will make use of the long wheelbase version and will be powered by a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine with a 5-speed manual transmission.

As mandated by PUV Class 1 regulations from LTFRB, we should expect the Tamaraw PUV to have right-side exit doors instead of rear swing-out doors found in the utility van version. According to the LTO document, the Tamaraw PUV Class 1 has a seating capacity of 12 passengers including the driver.

Should Toyota Motor Philippines push through with offering the PUV version of the Tamaraw, that gives transport cooperatives more options to choose from as the PUV Class 1 segment already includes the likes of the Isuzu Traviz, Mitsubishi L300, and the Hyundai H-100.