The Toyota pickup truck that started production in March 1968 was the Hilux.
The first Hilux was the RN10, a short-wheelbase pickup powered by a 1.5-liter inline-four engine. Toyota developed it with Hino Motors, which manufactured the early trucks at its Hamura plant. The model was created for the market below Toyota’s larger Stout and replaced the Briska in that niche.
The name Hilux is generally explained as a blend of “high” and “luxury,” reflecting Toyota’s aim to offer a more comfortable and refined work truck. A long-wheelbase version joined the range in April 1969, followed by van variants in 1970.
A common mix-up is Tacoma, which replaced the Hilux in North America for the 1995 model year. The Hilux itself continued internationally, while Stout was its larger predecessor or contemporary depending on market and period.