‘Be careful how you speak about Probox’, says Williams
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Apparently stung by criticisms that she was “out of touch” following comments she made about how Jamaicans could acquire a Toyota Probox motor car, Finance Minister Fayval Williams has moved to caution her critics.
She spoke to the issue on Tuesday as she closed the 2025/26 Budget Debate at Gordon House where she specifically addressed the parliamentary Opposition and its supporters.
The assertion made by Williams on March 12 that a Jamaican is able to make a down payment on a Toyota Probox by saving $2,000 per month for three years, for a total of $72,000, was ridiculed by Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson during his contribution to the Budget Debate on March 13.
Williams made the comments a day earlier while speaking with TVJ’s Dionne Jackson Miller on All Angles, prompting the host to ask whether she was talking about a 20-year-old Probox. Her statement has been widely mocked on social media where it has gone viral. Robinson piled on during his contribution to the Budget Debate.
“Mr Speaker, on my way here, from last night, my constituents have been inundating me, from last night until today. They’ve asked me to ask you minister, they want to know where they can get the Probox that cost $2,000 per month, that if you put it aside (for three years), where you can find that Probox,” said Robinson to much laughter from Opposition Members of Parliament.
READ: #BudgetDebate2025: Robinson mocks Williams over $2,000 per month Probox
As she closed the Budget Debate on Tuesday, Williams revisited the issue.
“Let me caution the Opposition and their supporters about how they talk about Probox,” she said while pointing out that there are currently 23,423 Probox vehicle owners in Jamaica.
“So, be very careful that you don’t disrespect Probox, which is made by Toyota, the largest car manufacturer in the world. It is a vehicle that has been around for about 20 years and has been a resounding commercial success for Toyota. It is fuel efficient and has a very good after-market. So, be very careful how you speak about Probox,” the minister added.
“It’s not where you begin. It is where you end! It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” Williams said.
