Full_Clip
New member
The Prado probably isn't designed to meet US crash standards so having it coming here (same with Hilux) is essentially zero, even with a next gen platform. Toyota isn't going to build a global platform when they have the Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander, Rav4, Venza, Sequoia, Land Cruiser in the North American market.
4Runners sell well enough and still serves a purpose to compete the Jeep Grand Cherokee, plus probably the next midsize Chevy Canyon midsized SUV thing, so it's probably not going away in it's current form unless CAFE or EPA mileage ratings become to prohibitive. Toyota sells enough Prius's, hybrid Camrys and Highlanders to offset the negative impact of the total Toyota USA fleet from relatively poor MPG from 4Runners.
The big concern is how aggressively Toyota would want to go after the Tahoe/Suburban market with the Sequoia. That's really the only market in which BOF SUVs really have a major impact anymore and GM dominates that market. Also, Toyota is committed to competing with Dodge, Ford, and GM in the full sized truck market, and possibly the medium duty truck market in the near future. Nissan will also be crowding the field with the newer Titan and diesel Titan.
It's certainly possible that the 4Runner could get the axe if sales dip. They kill off a poor MPG vehicle and have more than enough sales from Highlanders to offset the loss of that vehicle, and they could keep the Sequoia/Tundra for full sized SUV/truck buyers. The Tacoma is obviously not going away because it dominates the market by a clear margin. This is the last year of the FJ production and there is no replacement, so Toyota is already clearing the slate of one BOF SUV; likely due to its relatively small market and smaller sales compared to 4Runners.
Solution - keep buying 4Runners and Toyota will keep them around
4Runners sell well enough and still serves a purpose to compete the Jeep Grand Cherokee, plus probably the next midsize Chevy Canyon midsized SUV thing, so it's probably not going away in it's current form unless CAFE or EPA mileage ratings become to prohibitive. Toyota sells enough Prius's, hybrid Camrys and Highlanders to offset the negative impact of the total Toyota USA fleet from relatively poor MPG from 4Runners.
The big concern is how aggressively Toyota would want to go after the Tahoe/Suburban market with the Sequoia. That's really the only market in which BOF SUVs really have a major impact anymore and GM dominates that market. Also, Toyota is committed to competing with Dodge, Ford, and GM in the full sized truck market, and possibly the medium duty truck market in the near future. Nissan will also be crowding the field with the newer Titan and diesel Titan.
It's certainly possible that the 4Runner could get the axe if sales dip. They kill off a poor MPG vehicle and have more than enough sales from Highlanders to offset the loss of that vehicle, and they could keep the Sequoia/Tundra for full sized SUV/truck buyers. The Tacoma is obviously not going away because it dominates the market by a clear margin. This is the last year of the FJ production and there is no replacement, so Toyota is already clearing the slate of one BOF SUV; likely due to its relatively small market and smaller sales compared to 4Runners.
Solution - keep buying 4Runners and Toyota will keep them around