Toyota Land Cruiser dead in the U.S. after 2022?

[LimeLED]

From Jonny Lieberman of Motor Trend:

Bad News. I just heard that the venerable, completely amazing, stealth wealth king Toyota Land Cruiser will be exiting the U.S. market after 2022. Insane, I know. Why? Well, at $86,000 it's expensive and hard to sell. Especially because Toyota has spent ZERO DOLLARS marketing their best product for several decades straight. 3,000 or so people a year buying a hand built, over-engineered, off road luxury masterpiece apparently ain't enough. And that's not even the real reason. The Lexus LX570 is essentially the same vehicle and costs more (i.e. it is more profitable). Why not sell 7,000 LX570s a year instead of 4,000?? The thinking being that all 3,000 Land Cruiser customers will want a big Lex. Which... maybe? Dirty secret-Lexus hasn't made a profit in about 2 years. Too many NXs being sold with cash on the good, not nearly enough big ticket products like GS, LS, LC, and LX getting bought. So yes, there will be a next-gen, 2023 LX570 sold in America, just not it's Toyota sibling. STUPID. Toyota has been selling trucks badged as Land Cruisers to Americans since 1957! And they're just tossing 70 years of heritage out the window. The hell!?! I've had a few people tell me that the move from Los Angeles to Dallas broke Toyota USA's culture. This dumb decision-killing Land Cruiser!-is proof. Maybe if there's enough outcry, Toyota will change its mind? #boo #hiss #changeyourminds #provemewrong #toyota #landcruiser @toyotausa

Source: Jonny Lieberman on Instagram: “Bad News. I just heard that the venerable, completely amazing, stealth wealth king Toyota Land Cruiser will be exiting the U.S. market…”

That's going to really suck if Toyota really does kill off one of the best engineered vehicles it has ever made. :sobbing:

 

[TheLincolnGreen]

Exiting the US market isn't killing it off. I do agree that poor marketing is the biggest issue. Look at all the people willing to shell out $40k for a jeep!

 

[Bumbo]

If this is true… Ill probably buy a 200 series LC before 2022.

Honestly if they just offered these things in a trim other than fully loaded I could see more people buying them to use in an environment they would thrive in. Personally I would love something a bit more bare bones to off-road… maybe not cranker window level, but a bit 4th Gen SR5 seems about right to me. Something without the sting of a fully loaded luxury trim because it’s a lot of coin to beat on.

 

[Dillusion]

I have no issues taking my 4R off road and risking whatever happens to it but a LC I'd think twice.

And I think for the price most go with the GX or LX for pavement pounding.

 

[mnofpeace]

Bumbo has a point...

As many have seen in online reviews, the Aussie's get a lower trimmed LC, with a lot less luxury stuff...for about half the price, and they use it as it was intended, and keep selling it year after year. But they are lucky, they also get the 70-series LC's also.

you sell a lesser trim to the US market, and people like me, and many others, who passed on the Lux and bought a T4R, will think about buying a LC for its over-engineer'd longevity and dependability as that family car you keep for a decade or so.

If i am able, i know the only next-car that i am going to buy will be a Toy LC. Other than that, im keeping my 4Runner for the duration.

 

[Maingear]

I had and maintained a 2000 LX470, awesome platform, and my 2013 4runner is a better machine, only less headroom. My sister has a new LX and it‘s ridiculous. Guess they are going after the chevy suburban crowd.

My uneducated assumption is GX470 is a v8 4runner. When I travel in asia and europe they are called Landcruiser Prado with diesel engine.

 

[Thai]

Hmmmm...that 2020 TLC Heritage Edition sure looks good............

 

[LandCruiser]

It's too damn expensive. We aren't even allowed to buy the lower trim model since in the US 4x4 capability and big size are somehow synonymous with luxury.

 

[Thai]

It's too damn expensive. We aren't even allowed to buy the lower trim model since in the US 4x4 capability and big size are somehow synonymous with luxury.

I am fine with it...except for that price ($90,000 for Heritage Edition), you get cheap a$$ hard plastic door trims and FAKE wood!! FAKE cheap looking wood!!

The level of ridiculousness rivals the Tacoma and drum brakes!

 

[Bumbo]

The problem at its price point is you have other interesting options, perhaps not as off-road capable, but you have options. Considering most people buying something like this probably won’t push it THAT hard off-road, the other options become tempting and capable enough.

That said, I feel it’s all relative… The 4Runner IMO is a very wise money responsible purchase. You could buy something a lot less reliable or maintenance heavy that increases the total cost of ownership in the same price range.

If your first pick was a G Wagon, then the LC might be your responsible money wise budget purchase. Stealth wealth at its finest.

 

[Oldmanb777]

When we bought the GX,(mistake) we were told that all of the LC/LX's could be sold at sitcker plus. And they could not get enough of them to satisfy demand. So why offer a cheaper version? But certainly bad to hear it won't be available anymore. Probably doesn't meet U.S. emission or gas mileage standards. I think those new rules will kill many vehicles we love.

 

[Crocket]

Regarding Lieberman's quote: "The hell!?! I've had a few people tell me that the move from Los Angeles to Dallas broke Toyota USA's culture. This dumb decision-killing Land Cruiser!-is proof."

Toyota for sure is no longer the car company they once were, and I mean that in a bad way too (especially for die hard Japanese vehicle enthusiasts). This is quite evident over at Supraforums.com . There was also a rumor that the next 4Runner could be made from another platform (BMW)? Who knows how accurate that rumor is, but given what I see with their sports cars, entry level economy cars and their general culture/priority shift over the last 2 decades, it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[LimeLED]

Regarding Lieberman's quote: "The hell!?! I've had a few people tell me that the move from Los Angeles to Dallas broke Toyota USA's culture. This dumb decision-killing Land Cruiser!-is proof."

Toyota for sure is no longer the car company they once were, and I mean that in a bad way too (especially for die hard Japanese vehicle enthusiasts). This is quite evident over at Supraforums.com . There was also a rumor that the next 4Runner could be made from another platform (BMW)? Who knows how accurate that rumor is, but given what I see with their sports cars, entry level economy cars and their general culture/priority shift over the last 2 decades, it wouldn't surprise me.

It was be a real bummer if the 6th gen 4Runner ended not being a real Toyota at all. :tsk:

 

[Thai]

I am fine with it...except for that price ($90,000 for Heritage Edition), you get cheap a$$ hard plastic door trims and FAKE wood!! FAKE cheap looking wood!!

The level of ridiculousness rivals the Tacoma and drum brakes!

Well, i went ahead and got one........even with the fake wood and all. The fake wood still bothers me!

 

[LimeLED]

Well, i went ahead and got one........even with the fake wood and all. The fake wood still bothers me!

That's awesome! Congrats on your new LC!

 

[Eftax]

This is definitely sad! I have always wanted one but always a stretch of the budget and not willing to spend that much, at least not yet in my life. It will be interesting to see if this will inflate the prices of used one now...

 

[Thai]

Better resale value? Sure, i will take that!

My LC just got new shoes recently.

 

[Bumbo]

This isn’t helping, posting photos of a white LC with new shoes… you are making me want to jump on one.

 

[JoshuaZ]

It's huge bummer, as the LCs are my favorite cars, but it really doesnt fit in the American market. I wish they would bring the 70 series over here. As a military brat living overseas, I got to experience them firsthand and loved them. The troopy definitely has to be my favorite.