Patent records and registered trademarks may seem like a bunch of boring paperwork to some people. However, for those interested in motorcycles and cars, they are often quite interesting as they can give us a glimpse of the future. In August 2023, for example, Toyota filed a trademark application for the name “Land Hopper” in Japan, as reported by our colleagues at Motor1.
On October 21, 2023, as anticipation for the 2023 Japan Mobility Show intensified, Toyota finally revealed what the Land Hopper really is. It turns out to be an “electric personal mobility concept with three wheels”. Basically, it’s an electric tricycle, but more in the sense of a moped than a big motorcycle.
Toyota did not disclose many technical details about the Land Hopper – which also makes sense, as this is just part of a larger announcement about what they will bring to the Japan Mobility Show.
The first feature to highlight is that the Toyota Land Hopper is not just a tricycle – it is a foldable tricycle. Toyota is positioning it as a short-distance transport vehicle, something that can be stored in your car or van and used to explore the surroundings after arriving.
The Toyota Land Hopper does not require a motorcycle driver’s license in Japan, nor likely in most countries. Japan has a motorcycle licensing system based on tiers, but vehicles that meet certain requirements (including the ability to travel at low speeds) can be driven by drivers over 16 years old without the need for a motorcycle driver’s license.
This is also true in Europe and most of the rest of Asia, so it is also an important consideration if and when Toyota plans to bring the Land Hopper to markets outside of Japan.
