Higher tariffs could be particularly painful for Asian automakers including Toyota.

The Trump administration has launched a national security investigation into car and truck imports that could lead to new U.S. tariffs similar to those imposed on imported steel and aluminum in March.

The national security probe under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 would investigate whether vehicle and parts imports were threatening the industry's health and ability to research and develop new, advanced technologies, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday.

"There is evidence suggesting that, for decades, imports from abroad have eroded our domestic auto industry," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement, promising a "thorough, fair and transparent investigation."

Higher tariffs could be particularly painful for Asian automakers including Toyota Motor Corp <7203.T>, Nissan Motor Co <7201.T>, Honda Motor Co <7267.T> and Hyundai Motor Co <005380.KS>, which count the United States as a key market, and the announcement sparked a broad sell-off in automakers' shares across the region. [MKTS/GLOB]

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/...tional-security-probe-001933614--finance.html

What do you guys think? Will be the end of 4Runner in US, or will you pay a higher price because is "made in Japan"?

#maga

So which one is the import; The Honda made in Tennessee, the BMW made in South Carolina or the Ford made in Mexico?

The import is the 4Runner, which is made 100% in Japan. Highlander and other made here will be fine (I think).

Only 10% tariff plus extra for state taxes can bring the price up to $5000.

Will you pay that? You can do a lot of mods with $5K.

How about if Toyota will move the production to US, will you buy a 4Runner made in US?

Emy,

I was thinking similarly. They make the Tundra in the US. Wonder how hard it'd be to put the next 4Runner assembly line in that same factory or nearby.

Either way, should make the used Japanese-made 5th gens even more highly coveted, esp if 2019+ cost a pretty penny more.

Now if we could just bring CA's emissions down a peg so that I can save up for and drop in a diesel turbo legally, I'd have the ultimate 5th gen lol.

Let's Think About the Long Term

"Would you pay a higher price for made in Japan?" is the wrong question. There will always be some individuals who can afford and don't mind paying 15-25 pct more for a new vehicle. The proper question is, how would this affect the typical American buyer and what are the long term US economic and technological impacts?

10-20 years from now, who will be producing a product you love to buy and use, such as today's Toyota 4Runner and the after market accessories it supports? Will most (or perhaps all) of those products you want to have be designed and produced outside the US?

US auto factories are already running at close to full capacity. If one wants to bring production back to the US, then we're talking about a long lead time making the high capital investment to build large factories. That kind of investment is less likely to happen because smart money is looking for sustainable returns and doesn't have a lot of confidence in Washington's short term economic policy.

20 years of ill-founded US economic policy has weakened the US lower-middle and middle class. America's large consumer market was given over to other countries that accepted and supported multinational investment. Manufacturing jobs pay better, creating opportunities for expanding and learning skills and fostering innovation through investment in research and development which flows back into new products and production methods at the local factory.

When a US factory moves overseas, R&D usually goes with it because existing production working with future product development is needed to evolve a design into a product that marketable. There begins the descent into low-paying menial jobs and fewer opportunities for many US citizens to advance into something better.

Labeling trade the problem and imposing tariffs is short-sighted. It's just another way to slide past real solutions.

It's time to realize that the US needs (1) policies that sustain an economically healthy lower-middle to middle class, (2) policies and workplaces that train workers and expand learning into new fields and (3) policies that lead to a physically and mentally healthy lower-middle to middle class.

Before I've bought the first 4Runner in 2012, I did a drive test with Lexus RX. They had two types at that time:
- one (basic, no option installed) made in Canada
- one (full option) made in Japan. The most expensive one was made in Japan.

I don't like to pay more for the same product if I find it cheaper, but in this case if I had to buy the RX for sure I'll got the "Made in Japan".

I've had Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord (both made in US) before 4Runner and my personal experience with cars for sure there is different quality/reliability between a US made and Japan made car.

BTW: I'm a white guy from Europe, but always I was fascinated with the quality of "Made in Japan" products.

Let's change the question...if you have to choose (like RX) between a 4Runner (made in US) and a $5000 more 4Runner (still made in Japan), which one do you choose?

Hey guys, the salesman at the dealer told me that the 2019 4Runner will be made in the states. Is this true?

If the salesman said it, absolutely!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

emy said:

The national security probe under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 would investigate whether vehicle and parts imports were threatening the industry's health and ability to research and develop new, advanced technologies, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday.

Click to expand...

I'm confused... the current administration wants to roll-back fuel efficiency standards (which I'm thinking *won't* advance technology), yet place tariffs on imports to advance technology?

You want strong R&D? You need strong competition.

I've thought will be 10%, but looks could be 25%:
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/trumps-tariffs-mess-car-business-185348058.html

With 25% tariff the price can go up $10K-$13K

glad i got mine when i did. i work for a japanese company and yes i wanted one built in japan. the work ethic there is second to none.

Wait for it folks. He opened with 25% on aluminum and steel a few months ago. He's already backed that down to more reasonable levels with several countries friendly to us. It is called negotiating. It hasn't even been 24 hours. Don't sell your kids yet.....

There's exemptions for companies that have factories here in the United States and headquarters here as well, which supply a certain number of jobs.

Thankfully, Toyota has their headquarters in Frisco, TX and a major Toyota plant in San Antonio, Texas.

Aznisegi said:

There's exemptions for companies that have factories here in the United States and headquarters here as well, which supply a certain number of jobs.

Thankfully, Toyota has their headquarters in Frisco, TX and a major Toyota plant in San Antonio, Texas.

Click to expand...

Toyota has plants in WV, KY, TX, IN, MS and CA, along with the new Huntsville plant shared with Mazda.

A lot of their cars are made in the US now.

BigEyeDuck said:

#maga

Click to expand...

Dam you beat me to it LOL

:sleepy: Mods can we get this moved to OFF TOPIC please?....
All Mr. Trump has to do is open his mouth and it sends the pundits into a frenzy cuz the sky is falling, etc...He hasn't even done anything but talk about it.:wow: Next time please leave the politics out of the 5th gen forum...thanks!

Uneeq said:

Toyota has plants in WV, KY, TX, IN, MS and CA, along with the new Huntsville plant shared with Mazda.

A lot of their cars are made in the US now.

Click to expand...

how would it affect asian parts that need to be imported to build a vehicle?

1996_Valencia_Owen said:

Emy,

I was thinking similarly. They make the Tundra in the US. Wonder how hard it'd be to put the next 4Runner assembly line in that same factory or nearby.

Either way, should make the used Japanese-made 5th gens even more highly coveted, esp if 2019+ cost a pretty penny more.

Now if we could just bring CA's emissions down a peg so that I can save up for and drop in a diesel turbo legally, I'd have the ultimate 5th gen lol.

Click to expand...

I would not buy a 4Runner built here. The line quality control is abysmal in this country. Workers are not able to stop production lines for defects like they were in the past.
That policy has gone the way of the dodo bird. Workers are often temp too. I dont want someone making 15.00 an hour without benefits building my vehicle. It makes for a poor working environment and relationship. Not really what I want from an auto builder.