What was the 1995 Toyota Pickup called?
It was called the Toyota Tacoma. In 1995 Toyota introduced a new nameplate in North America to replace the aging Toyota Pickup, signaling a fresh design and branding for the U.S. market.
The 1995 transition in North America
To understand the naming shift, it's helpful to note the key milestones surrounding the 1995 model year transition.
Key milestones in the 1995 transition include:
- Introduction of the Toyota Tacoma nameplate in 1995 as the successor to the Toyota Pickup in North America.
- Adoption of a distinct, more modern design and chassis separate from the HiLux lineage used in many other markets.
- The first-generation Tacoma was produced roughly from 1995 to 2004, offering various configurations and drivetrain options to North American buyers.
- In markets outside North America, Toyota continued to sell the HiLux under different branding; the U.S. market saw the shift to Tacoma.
The move marked Toyota's strategic shift to a more capable and modern compact pickup designed specifically for North American consumers.
The Tacoma name and its origins
Why "Tacoma"?
Toyota chose the name Tacoma for the new pickup to reflect a rugged, all-American image and to distinguish it from the broader HiLux lineup used overseas. The name is drawn from Tacoma, Washington, a port city known for outdoor and terrain versatility.
First-generation overview
Design and features
The first-generation Toyota Tacoma introduced in 1995 featured a new, purpose-built platform and styling distinct from the prior Toyota Pickup. It aimed at improving safety, ride comfort, and off-road capability, with multiple cab and bed configurations and available four-wheel drive.
Market context
The 1995 Tacoma tenure in North America lasted through the late 1990s into the early 2000s, culminating in updates and a second generation. The Tacoma name would continue to be used for a line separate from the HiLux-based pickups in most global markets.
Summary
In 1995, Toyota replaced its aging Toyota Pickup in the United States with the all-new Toyota Tacoma, signaling a branding refresh and a more modern, capable mid-size pickup designed specifically for the North American market. The Tacoma would go on to become Toyota's long-running mid-size pickup platform, evolving through generations while retaining the core identity introduced in 1995.
What was the 1994 Toyota pickup called?
| Toyota Hilux | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Toyota Pickup (United States, 1972–1995) |
| Production | March 1968 – present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact pickup truck (1968–2004) Mid-size pickup truck (2004–present) |
What were old Toyota pickups called?
Old Toyota pickups have been called the Hilux, the "Toyota Pickup," the "Toyota Truck," and the Stout. The specific name depends on the model year and region: the Stout was a very early model, the Hilux was used in most global markets, while "Pickup" and then "Truck" were common in North America before the Tacoma name was introduced.
- Stout: (1964-1968) The Stout was an early compact pickup sold in the US.
- Hilux: (1969-1974 in North America; 1968-present globally) This name was used for the international version of the compact truck. In North America, this model was renamed "Pickup" in 1975.
- Pickup: (1975-1983 in North America) After the Hilux, the compact truck was simply called the "Toyota Pickup" in the North American market.
- Truck: (1984-1994 in North America) The name was changed to "Truck" for this generation and was often referred to more generally as the "Toyota Truck".
- Tacoma: (1995-present) The name was officially changed to the Tacoma for the 1995 model year, separating it from the global Hilux.
What is the name of the 1995 Toyota pickup truck?
In fact there was just one thing according to Mayor Moss that could have made Toyota's announcement. Better. But had this been at the Seattle.
Why was Hilux banned in the US?
The Toyota Hilux is not sold in the US primarily due to the "Chicken Tax," a 25% tariff on imported light trucks that makes it financially impractical. Additionally, the Hilux was not originally designed to meet the US's stricter safety, emissions, and fuel economy standards. Toyota also created the US-specific Toyota Tacoma to meet American market preferences for more features and comfort, and to avoid tariffs on vehicles produced in the US.
Reasons the Toyota Hilux isn't sold in the US
- The "Chicken Tax": This 25% tariff on imported light trucks was enacted in 1964 and makes it too expensive to import the Hilux and sell it competitively in the US.
- Different market and design: Toyota developed the Tacoma specifically for the North American market, which has different tastes and needs than the global Hilux. The Tacoma is typically more spacious and includes more features and comfort options.
- Safety and emissions standards: The Hilux was not designed to meet the US's strict Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) or EPA emissions regulations. Re-engineering the truck to meet these standards would be costly and time-consuming.
- Market competition: Toyota already has a successful mid-size truck in the US with the Tacoma and doesn't want the Hilux to compete with its own product.
