The Toyota Land Cruiser has played many roles since it was first introduced in the 1950s. A staple for politicians, foregin dignitaries, top-brass military officials, and UN peacekeepers, Toyota’s rugged and reliable four-wheel drive SUV is the world’s first refrigerated vehicle to obtain the World Health Organization (WHO) performance, quality, and safety (PQS) pre-qualification.
“We are very happy that the product received the PQS prequalification. The combined solution has the power to revolutionize the way vaccines are delivered until the last mile,’’ said B Medical Systems CEO Luc Provost.
The PQS system was established to set quality standards in the procurement of WHO and United Nations (UN) medical devices and equipment. Products that have obtained PQS prequalification also meet the selection standards of different NGOs and charitable institutions.
“The refrigerated vaccine vehicle can easily travel through rough terrains and narrow roads, delivering vaccines even to the most remote health posts, thereby ensuring an effective last-mile vaccine cold chain delivery. The design of the solution also ensures that none of the vials are broken during the delivery process, eliminating vaccine wastage, which is otherwise common in refrigerated trucks,” added Provost.
A product of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, and B Medical Systems, the purpose-built LC 78 is designed and engineered to transport vaccines to the most challenging of locations while maintaining appropriate temperature conditions.
The Toyota Land Cruiser 78 is known for its 4.5-liter turbodiesel engine, solid front and rear axles, and a low-range four-wheel-drive system — not the fanciest among the 70 series, but a capable workhorse nonetheless.
It’s outfitted with B Medical Systems' CF850 vaccine refrigerator capable of maintaining a temperature range of about two to eight degrees Celsius. It also offers a storage capacity of 396 liters, or around 400 vaccine packs. To preserve the vaccines and other specimens, the on-board refrigerator uses an independent battery which allows it to run for 16 hours without a power supply. It can be charged by the vehicle or plugged to an external power source when parked.
The CF850 vaccine refrigerator is also equipped with a temperature logging system allowing it to provide an overview of the storage conditions.
Through the PQS pre-qualified LC 78, the involved companies look to help with successful rollout of immunization programs and improve the quality of the vaccine supply chain in general. Because of its potential, its use as a means of transportation for COVID-19 vaccines is expected.
“We hope this vehicle would help to extend the immunization services to reach the under-immunized and zero dose children and also to contribute to the COVID vaccine delivery,” said COO for Automotive Division of Toyota Tsusho Corporation Shigeru Harada.
The companies have already started the manufacturing of the refrigerated vehicles with its first batch expected to ship out in the coming weeks.
Even if Toyota Motor Philippines is not immediately expected to offer this LC, we of course have the Land Cruiser variants LC200 and LC200 Premium.
Photos from Toyota and B Medical Systems
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