Toyota Australia Announces Anti-Theft Upgrades for HiLux, LandCruiser and Prado

Toyota Australia has officially announced a suite of security enhancements and legislative goals designed to combat a sophisticated rise in organised vehicle theft across the country.

The company is responding to an industry-wide trend where criminal groups utilise imported electronic devices to bypass standard factory security systems.

These measures follow a period of intense criminal activity that has seen some of the manufacturer's most popular models targeted for international export.

The urgency of this response is underscored by the recent dismantling of an alleged international theft syndicate by Queensland Police.

Seven foreign nationals were charged in early January 2026 in connection with the theft of 60 Toyota LandCruisers and Prados from the Brisbane region.

According to the ABC, this specific operation, valued at approximately $9 million, allegedly involved concealing stolen vehicles in shipping containers for transport to the United Arab Emirates.

While 15 of these vehicles have been recovered, authorities believe many of the remaining 4WDs have already left Australian shores.

Investigations into these thefts have revealed that criminals are employing "CAN bus injection" techniques to gain access to vehicles.

This method allows thieves to tap into the vehicle's internal communication network, often through external access points, to disable engine immobilisers and factory tracking devices.

Victim reports described accounts where $120,000 vehicles were stolen in less than a minute after thieves drilled into the bodywork to reach the electrical systems.

In response, Toyota has worked closely with police in Victoria and Queensland to identify these specific vulnerabilities and implement hardware-level countermeasures.

Toyota has already begun integrating advanced protective measures into the production of its latest models, including the 2025 and 2026 HiLux, LandCruiser 300, and LandCruiser Prado.

Beyond factory updates, the company is developing a range of genuine, factory-approved accessories designed to offer additional layers of protection for existing owners.

Among these developments is a new secondary immobiliser system, which Toyota Australia has confirmed will come at an additional cost for owners of older models.

In a direct update to CarSauce, a spokesperson for the brand clarified that while new and current models receiving these factory security improvements will see no impact on their retail price, the retrofitted accessories will not be complimentary.

The specific pricing for these accessories is yet to be confirmed as the company works to finalise the rollout beyond the next few weeks.

Looking forward, the manufacturer is shifting its focus toward legislative advocacy to curb the availability of the tools used in these crimes.

Toyota Australia has declared its support for a federal ban on devices specifically designed for criminal vehicle entry.

The company is also calling for the strict regulation of legitimate electronic tools used by locksmiths and mechanics to ensure they are not misappropriated by criminal syndicates.

Toyota remains in collaboration with global engineering teams and law enforcement to monitor evolving theft methods and maintain the security of its Australian fleet.