Toyota Probox

Last updated
Toyota Probox (XP50/160)
Toyota Probox Van DX.jpg
Toyota Probox Van DX (NCP51V)
Overview
Manufacturer Daihatsu [1]
Also called
Production
  • 2002–present
  • *2002–2014 (XP50)
  • *2014–present (XP160)
AssemblyJapan: Ōyamazaki, Kyoto (Daihatsu Kyoto plant) [1]
Body and chassis
Class Light commercial vehicle
Body style 5-door station wagon/van
Layout
Platform Toyota NBC platform (2002–2014)
Toyota B platform (2014–present)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,550 mm (100.4 in) (XP50/160)
Length4,195 mm (165.2 in) (XP50)
4,245 mm (167.1 in) (XP160)
Width1,690–1,695 mm (66.5–66.7 in) (XP50/160)
Height1,525–1,530 mm (60.0–60.2 in) (XP50/160)
Curb weight 1,030–1,120 kg (2,270.8–2,469.2 lb) (XP50)
1,090–1,170 kg (2,403.0–2,579.4 lb) (XP160)
Chronology
Predecessor Toyota Corolla/Sprinter Van (E100)
Toyota Succeed
Successor Toyota Corolla Fielder (Probox Wagon)

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.

Contents

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.

Toyota Probox (second generation)
Mazda Familia Van

Popularity

The 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]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "75 Years of Toyota - Toyota Probox (XP50)". www.toyota-global.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "ザ・商用車「プロボックス」誕生20年 なぜモデルチェンジしない？ "無敵"だからさ！（乗りものニュース）". Yahoo! News (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  3. ↑ "TOYOTA、プロボックスならびにサクシードをマイナーチェンジ" [Toyota releases minor changes to Probox and Succeed]. Toyota Newsroom (Press release). Toyota Motor Corporation. 2014-08-06.
  4. 1 2 Miyazaki, Taketo; Niwa, Kei (2014-08-06). "【トヨタ プロボックス/サクシード 改良新型】12年目のマイナーチェンジ、シェアトップの商用車に求められるものとは…開発主査インタビュー" [[New Toyota Probox/Succeed] Minor change in its 12th year, what is required of the top-selling commercial vehicle? Interview with the Chief Development Officer]. Response.jp (in Japanese). IID, Inc. Archived from the original on 2022-12-26.
  5. ↑ Autoevolution.com
  6. 1 2 Onyatta, Omondi (2021-11-08). "Toyota Proboxes: Boon to drivers or social menace?". The Star. Kenya.
  7. ↑ "Toyota Probox: The ideal delivery van". Monitor. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  8. ↑ Tongola, Mate. "Toyota Probox: What this workhorse offers, but also a look at its problems". Evewoman Magazine. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  9. ↑ "Mixed reactions to ban on Probox PSV licensing. – Kenya News Agency". 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  10. ↑ Manandhar, Ashok (2016-03-07). "Picturing the Probox". Myanmar Times . Archived from the original on 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  11. ↑ "RDX salutes taxi drivers with 'Probox' single". Jamaica Star. 10 March 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
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