|
Toyota Probox
The Toyota Probox is a 5-door, 2- or 4-seater passenger car (Probox Wagon) and light commercial van (Probox Van) produced by the Japanese automaker Toyota since July 2002. It replaced the Corolla/Sprinter van[1] and served as a slightly shorter version of the now-discontinued Toyota Succeed. The Probox has been a commercial success with stable sales for 20 years, despite its design being largely unchanged since 2002.[2] First generation (XP50; 2002)The Toyota Probox was created as a new type of commercial van in July 2002.[2] Until 2008, the Probox and its "brother model" Succeed sold a total of 70,000 to 90,000 units a year. Since 2008, the model has maintained the sales of about 50,000 units per year.[2]
Second generation (XP160; 2014)The Probox received a redesign, which was published on August 6, 2014 with sales beginning on September 1 of the same year. The redesign was announced alongside the redesign of the Succeed. The new version is powered by a 1NR-FE engine.[3] While announced as a facelift, the reengineered model was given a new model code as the Japanese automobile type approval system considers it a second generation. The new engine and CVT transmission did require substantial changes beneath the skin, as the front half was changed from the existing NBC platform to the new B platform.[4] The B platform was too wide for the existing body and had to be narrowed by 60 mm (2.4 in). The body structure was unchanged from the A-pillar back, as conservative commercial vehicle buyers were not interested in change for change's sake. The redesign was forced by new, stricter emissions and fuel consumption regulations, which required upgrading to the new platform and technology.[4] Starting in 2018, a rebadged version of the Probox has been offered in Japan as the Mazda Familia Van. Although the Succeed was discontinued in May 2020, the Probox continued stable sales, selling 48,000 units in 2021.[2] The Probox also received very minor improvements in August 2020, namely redesigned wing mirrors and certification of some models meeting certain new fuel consumption and emissions standards.
PopularityThe Probox is extensively used as a taxi in Peru and Bolivia.[5] It is one of the most popular cars in East Africa owing to its perceived durability and versatility, popular with business owners transporting goods and as taxis.[6][7] In Kenya the Probox is associated with reckless drivers, and the vehicle is also preferred by corrupt police and a kidnapping gang.[6][8] In 2019, the country banned the use of the Probox and Toyota Sienta for minibus use, citing frequent overloading of up to 14 passengers, instead of the five it is designed for.[9] Right-hand-drive Proboxes imported from Japan are common in Myanmar despite the country driving on the opposite side.[10] The Probox is popular among taxi drivers in Jamaica. In 2020, a single was released by RDX called 'Probox' to show their appreciation for local taxi drivers.[11] References
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toyota Probox.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.jpg)
.jpg)
