THE image in the minds of the public, waiting for the arrival of the new Lite Ace is an upgrade to that much cherished and chiseled rectangular block of metal with lots of large windows and seating for seven (or eight if the folding middle front seat is up) and a little 1500 cc engine. No one ever complained about how slow the old Lite Ace would overtake because it was fun to be in and when the tailgate is popped up and the sliding door open, offers an excellent “tambayan” for families and friends.

Toyota Motor Philippines, Inc. (TMP) launched the all-new Lite Ace in the middle of the Farmer’s Plaza Activity Center in Cubao—a ubiquitous place and one that pundits say is perfect for this vehicle. Farmer’s Plaza is the working man’s mall just beside the Farmer’s Market, and within the Quezon City commercial district. The launch set-up was even done in such a way to mimic the narrow streets and passageways of Divisoria and the Port Area where most of the commerce in the National Capital Region happens. This unique launch site is the perfect venue to highlight the commercial applications of the new Lite Ace.

Instead of getting a van with that ubiquitous sliding door and an extended roof inquisitive Lite Ace fans and onlookers only saw the drop-side pick-up and a panel van. This wasn’t discouraging at all, because Toyota positioned this all-new Lite Ace as a business partner–the “Kasosyo mo sa asenso.”

“With the introduction of the all-new Lite  Ace , we are responding to the long-time request of our customers for Toyota to introduce a light commercial vehicle,” TMP President Atsuhiro Okamoto told spectators at the unveiling event. “We are confident that it is a game-changer, not just in uplifting the auto industry, but more importantly in improving the way homegrown businesses move people and goods.”

The windowless panel van version gives hope that a full passenger vehicle is on the way. Insiders at TMP also confirmed that soon a utility van, and an aluminum van, possibly with either a factory-built or a third-party rear cargo hold are on their way. These are expected to be introduced by September 2022.

Worry not though, a passenger van is available in other markets, and once a left-hand drive version appears, that means that version will eventually find its way to the country. It seems that Toyota’s strategy is to ride with the post-pandemic recovery wherein, businesses resurrecting from the economic losses are looking at small transporters and haulers. Moreover, the cost of diesel, once one of the most important definers of a sale for a commercial vehicle, is now at par or even higher than gasoline. This phenomenon may cause a shift to small displacement petrol-powered engines.

Toyota said that both versions are built for high-performance but economical heavy-load transportation needs. To do this the 1.5L gasoline engine is slightly detuned to deliver 97 PS and 134 Nm of torque and mated to the only transmission available—a 5-speed manual. This 2NR-VE four-cylinder engine with Dual VVT-i is also shared with the current generation Avanza MPV and the Veloz compact SUV. The vehicle was co-developed with Daihatsu and branded as the Gran Max in other ASEAN markets.

This new Lite Ace comes with practical convenience features like electric power steering and air-conditioning system. Standard safety equipment is provided, including SRS airbags, Anti-lock Brake System, and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) for the panel van.

TMP said the panel pan is ideal for businesses like e-commerce parcel transportation while the Dropside Pickup can be utilized for agricultural and industrial needs. The upcoming aluminum van is ideal for dry goods transport while the utility van fit will be for transporting manpower to the worksite.

The all-new Lite Ace pickup retails at P570K while the panel van at P655K. The only color available is white. It comes with free periodic maintenance for 1 year or 20,000kms, whichever comes first.

Through Toyota Financial Services Philippines (TFSPH), the all-new Lite Ace is available under a unique financing scheme that allows for weekly payments of as little as P2,903.50 per week for the pick-up variant. Toyota said this makes investing in the Lite Ace commercial vehicle easier and more accessible for those who are looking to start or expand their own local businesses.

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