Toyota to send six Hilux pickup trucks into the Antarctic
Thursday 09 September 2010 | By Evolution InternetBack to Newsroom
Toyota is to convert six of its Hilux pickup trucks, which are currently available for pickup truck leasing, to be used in the hostile conditions of the Antarctic.
The manufacturer has signed a deal with Arctic Trucks to carry out the conversions.
Of the six South African-built vehicles, four will operate as back up vehicles in the Antarctic Ski Challenge to the South Pole, to be held at the end of the year as part of the Extreme World Races series, while another will be built for the Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research.
Andrew Kirby, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Toyota South Africa, said: "Not only does the Arctic Truck conversion showcase the strengths of the Hilux in extreme conditions, but the various Antarctic projects' aim at creating awareness of environmental issues also underscore Toyota's strong commitment to sustainable mobility and the protection of our habitat."
The Toyota Hilux was famously used by BBC TV show Top Gear to drive to the magnetic North Pole.
