Indian Army Adds Toyota Hilux Pickup to Fleet, Takes Delivery of First Batch

The Toyota Hilux Pickup off-roader has joined the fleet of the Indian Army. Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) officially announced delivering the first batch of the Hilux pickup trucks to the Indian armed forces, which subjected the Hilux pickup truck to challenging terrain and adverse weather testings, from temperatures below zero to heights of 13,000 feet, before adding the vehicle to its fleet. In its official press statement, the proud carmaker didn't disclose how many Hilux vehicles have been given to the Northern Command of the Indian Army, but it highlighted the global sales of its iconic off-roader pickup, which have crossed 20 million units in more than 180 nations.

For those unaware, the military recently placed an order with Mahindra & Mahindra for 1,850 Scorpio Classic vehicles too. The Indian Army possesses a large fleet of 4x4 vehicles, which includes vehicles like the Maruti Gipsy, Tata Safari Storme (GS800), Mahindra Scorpio, and Tata Xenon pickup. 

Also Read: Toyota Hilux Attracts Discounts of up to Rs 8 Lakh in India

Toyota Hilux Joins Indian Army's Fleet: Here's How Company Reacted

Mr V Wiseline Sigamani, General Manager – Strategic Business Unit (North), said, 'We are thrilled to deliver the Hilux, marking a significant milestone, fulfilling our first-ever Hilux order to Indian Army. We are truly honoured and proud of this opportunity. The Hilux offers unique off-roading characteristics, coupled with enhanced safety features, making it the most ideal vehicle for the army purposes and catering to their special purposes.

He further added, 'We are sure that the Hilux will be a great addition to the army’s fleets and meet the specific needs of our esteemed clientele. This reaffirms our commitment to offering reliable products, and we look forward to our continued association with the Indian Army in the future.'

Also Read: 2023 Toyota Hilux Going Off-Road I First Drive Review | autoX

Toyota Hilux: Powertrain & Prices

Powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, the Hilux gets a 6-Speed Automatic and 6-Speed Manual as transmission options. The oil burner produces a maximum power of 201bhp and a highest torque of 420Nm when using the manual gearbox. On the other hand, the automatic models produce the same amount of power and an increased 500Nm torque. Notably, all versions come equipped with a 4x4 system as standard. There are three pick-up variants available in India: Standard, High, and High AT. The prices of the car range from Rs 30.40 lakh to Rs 37.90 lakh (ex-showroom).