Patent and trademark registrations can seem like a lot of boring paperwork to some people. However, for the motorcycle and automotive public, they are often quite interesting, as they can give us a glimpse into 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 Motor Show intensified, Toyota finally revealed what the Land Hopper really is. After all, it’s a “three-wheeled electric personal mobility concept”. Basically, it’s an electric tricycle, but more in the sense of a moped than a large motorcycle.
Toyota hasn’t released many technical details about the Land Hopper – which also makes sense, because this is just part of a wider announcement about what it’s bringing to the Japan Mobility Show.
The first thing to note is that the Toyota Land Hopper isn’t just a tricycle – it’s a folding tricycle. Toyota is positioning it as a short-distance transportation vehicle, something you can stow in your car or van and use to tour the surroundings once you’ve arrived.
The Toyota Land Hopper doesn’t require a motorcycle license in Japan, and probably not in most countries. Japan has a tiered licensing system for motorcycles, but vehicles that meet certain requirements (including the ability to travel at low speeds) can be driven by riders over the age of 16 without the need for a motorcycle license.
This is also true in Europe and most of the rest of Asia, so it’s also an important consideration if and when Toyota plans to take the Land Hopper to markets outside Japan.