TICO Brings Three RAV4 Concepts At The 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon

Most people think of Toyota as just the company that makes Corollas and Land Cruisers. But the truth? It’s way bigger: a sprawling family of companies that share DNA, swap parts, and sometimes show up to the same events wearing slightly different outfits.

One of those “relatives” is Toyota Industries Corporation, or TICO. You’ve probably never heard of it, but it’s kind of a big deal. Believe it or not, Toyota actually started with looms - yes, textile looms. TICO began life as Toyota Loom Works and eventually spun off what we now know as Toyota Motor Corporation.

These days, TICO is a global company best known for its forklifts, textile machines, and auto parts. The company also manages brands like Raymond and CESAB. Now they decide to drop in at the Tokyo Auto Salon with a trio of tricked-out Toyotas.

This January, TICO is planning to show three RAV4-based concept cars at the salon. And to make it even more interesting, not all of them will be based on the latest RAV4. In fact, one of the concepts is built on the outgoing model, the one Toyota just replaced. Why? Who knows? Part of the fun is not knowing. 

Hands down, it’s the RAV4 Outdoor Style Concept. Imagine a RAV4 that went on a camping trip, bought all the equipment, and showed up prepared for anything. Dark green body paint with black off-road graphics, higher ground clearance, and a big chunky matte-black bumper with bright red tow hooks.

Add new LED daytime running lights, orange grille lights, black wheels with red center caps, all-terrain Toyo tires, a roof rack, and a custom rear bumper, and all of a sudden, your RAV4 can take on the apocalypse. Or at least an ambitious weekend on a dirt road.

Moving on is this RAV4 GR Sport prototype. The exterior appears to be the same as the GR Sport. However, TICO mentioned it will be shown with multiple GR-specific parts, so that might mean it’s for those who like to customize their cars.

Finally, there’s the 50 Series RAV4 concept, based on the outgoing RAV4. This one goes a little wild with a blue-and-black paint job and fresh black wheels. According to Toyota, it’s meant to show how the older RAV4 can be “more enjoyable,” which basically translates to “Don’t forget about it yet - it still has life left.”

These cars probably won’t make it to the showroom, and that’s okay. The whole point is to show off a little.