Came across this article which shows that the Hilux/Vigo will be the first pockup truck to get Electronic Stability Control even thou the Governments 2011 laws making it mandatory on all new passenger vehicles doesnt cover pickup trucks, Toyota will fit it anyway.
http://autoindustrie.blogspot.com/2009/08/hilux-vigo-vn-turbo-launched-in.html
However, within the short period of time there have been a lot of discussion amongst governments of developed countries on ESC fitment. Australia, another market with a significant number of trucks (as well as the Aussie favourite car-based trucks; utes) is already mulling on compulsory fitment of ESC on trucks, utes as well as commercial vans. Many Aussies have criticised their government's current exemption of commercial vehicles from the new 2011 compulsory ESC fitment ruling, saying that the move likens treating lives commercial vehicle drivers and their families as second-class. ESC fitment on passenger cars is already compulsory from 2011 onwards in Europe and Australia. In Thailand, Hilux will be the first truck to come fitted with ESC (or VSC in Toyota lingo). Hopefully more truck makers will follow suit.
What are peoples thoughts on this?
If you havent ever driven a vehicle with ESC, go for a drive in one, the technology is phenominal.......you cannot loose control of the vehicle even if you throw it hard into a corner on a wet road....I tried and the vehicle pulled itself up.
Dont know how this will affect things offroad but I know theres an electronic hack to it so you can have a toggle switch to have it on or off.....the FJ Cruiser blokes worked this out in the US.