Taro

The Taro was a Toyota Hilux sold in Europe under Volkswagen badges. Volkswagen began assembling it at its Hannover plant in 1989, after an agreement with Toyota in which Volkswagen wanted a place in the one-tonne pickup segment and Toyota wanted more of the European market. Changes were minimal, mostly badges, and the engines, including a 2.4-litre diesel, all came from Toyota. From 1994 the four-wheel-drive version was supplied from Japan. Sales fell short of what both companies had expected, and production ended in 1997 together with the alliance.