Why no Toyota LC 79s in the US?
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Swampmonger
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My only guess is that they're afraid people in the US that want something that Spartan would buy a Jeep.
Swampmonger
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I'd love to have a TD in a T4R. If the 6th gen comes out next fall with a TD I may trade even though my 16 TEP will only be 18 months old. Failing that, I'd take a turbo V6 gasoline, as well.
Knight-Errant
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Most are essentially pickup trucks and I'm guessing the chicken tax makes it impossible (or financially bonkers) to import these to the US.
Knight-Errant
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In case you haven't heard about it, it is a 25% tariff on light trucks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax
Ever wonder why all pickup trucks sold in the US are built in North America? Or why we don't get VW Amarok or the Toyota Hilux? This is why.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax
Ever wonder why all pickup trucks sold in the US are built in North America? Or why we don't get VW Amarok or the Toyota Hilux? This is why.
Knight-Errant
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I'm sure cannibalization of tacoma/tundara/4runner/sequoia sales also comes into the equation. The land cruiser name is luxury in the US now, so having it on something spartan does confuse the marketing and image of the US land cruiser.
The design does look dated, so perhaps safety as well; emissions isn't too tough to tackle given all the options in Toyota's invetory.
The design does look dated, so perhaps safety as well; emissions isn't too tough to tackle given all the options in Toyota's invetory.
Thought the Hilux was just the European name for the Tundra here?
NuclearN8
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It's not emissions. It won't pass current safety standards without major redesign, which would make it look like anything but that quintessential LC79. Also the USA doesn't really have a market for it, we have more paved roads than anywhere on earth so getting places doesn't require going off pavement for day to day tasks. #FirstWorldProblems
Knight-Errant
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In terms of size the hilux is probably more in line with a Tacoma than a Tundra, but again remember the key where the vehicle is manufactured. No pickups are imported from overseas due to the tariffs imposed, but some manufacturers (like ford) currently bolt in temporary seats in their transit vans so that it classifies as a passenger vehicle, and then remove them once they are in the US... seems crazy but it's true. Some Japanese pickup trucks from long ago has rear facing seats in the bed to get around the tariffs as well, such as the Subaru Brat, and then you'd remove them on your own.
I added an older article about Ford bolting in temporary seats at the end.
"Even though most of its customers order the two-seat, stripped-out commercial model, Ford ships every Transit Connect to the Port of Baltimore in five-passenger Wagon trim. As soon as customs agents approve the vans, Ford whisks them offsite where a shipping contractor rips out backseats, flooring and rear windows. The brand-new parts then get sent to Ohio for recycling, and a new floor and metal stampings to cover the window openings go in place. Customs officials say it takes Ford less than 11 minutes to convert a Transit Connect from a people mover to a cargo van, and, while everyone knows Ford has been doing this for the past four years, the Feds have had enough."
From Toyota Australia
SR5 4x4 Double-Cab Pick-Up 4.0L V6 Petrol Auto = 4,409 lbs curb weight
From Toyota USA
Tundra 4x4 CrewMax 5.7L V8 = 5960lbs curb weight
Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab V6 6-Speed Automatic Long Bed= 4480lbs curb weight
Ford?s Run Around on ?Chicken Tax? Riles Customs Officials ? News ? Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog
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Swampmonger
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BlackWorksInc
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Technically the Hilux and Tacoma are cousins, they share a similar frame design (though the Hilux is supposedly built a bit tougher). I have maintained that Toyota should just either build the Tacoma on the Hilux Platform or Merge the two frames into a new "J170" (or whatever you wanna call it) and consolidate the 4Runner, LC Prado, and such on a common platform to reduce manufacturing costs and increase flexibility while further extending the live of their BOF legacy vehicles. Should probably sit down one of these days and make a proposal and send it to Toyoda, not that he'd listen to me probably. LOL
[MENTION=133316]el_kab0ng[/MENTION]
The Hilux and Tacoma were essentially the same vehicle up until the 2nd gen Tacoma. At that point the Hulix continued to evolve on it's ladder frame outside of the US while the Tacoma adopted the J120 platform that underpins the Land Cruiser Prado and 4Runners (though really only the firewall forward is mostly identical since they insist on using a C-Channel rear frame and leaf springs, despite the Hilux having a fully boxed frame as well as all the J120/J150 vehicles...)
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All Tundras sold in the US are made in San Antonio, so why not augment the plant to make 79s (even if for just special orders). I'm guessing the tooling required would be too cost prohibitive.
Knight-Errant
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The plant in Texas is operating at beyond max capacity just to produce Tacoma and Tundras. Plant capacity is 200,000, but with overtime they can get it up to 230,000
I'm sure the executives wouldn't want to disrupt operations and decrease Tacoma and Tundra capacity just to build a vehicle that has limited appeal (I'd love one, but most people aren't going to go for a 79 series).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4rTGW46HHA
The video is a recent interview with a Toyota engineer where he mentions their current capacity.
I'm sure the executives wouldn't want to disrupt operations and decrease Tacoma and Tundra capacity just to build a vehicle that has limited appeal (I'd love one, but most people aren't going to go for a 79 series).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4rTGW46HHA
The video is a recent interview with a Toyota engineer where he mentions their current capacity.
Belcher
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There are actually 2 limiting factors for toyota bringing it to the US. The major one is the crash test ratings. The bumpers do not meet the US regulations for the mph test along with the height of the front bumper...it sits to high to meet the new regulations.
2nd....the diesel does not meet the US Nox emissions requirements using our type of diesel....same reason all the duramax, cummins etc...have gone to particulate filters and urea injection....yes it smells like cat piss you have to pour into a reservoir under the hood.
Believe me I have tried to get one here...my wife and I wanted to buy a new 79 in japan and have it imported...could not get plates/insurance with out having it road tested which is crazy expensive.
Chris
2nd....the diesel does not meet the US Nox emissions requirements using our type of diesel....same reason all the duramax, cummins etc...have gone to particulate filters and urea injection....yes it smells like cat piss you have to pour into a reservoir under the hood.
Believe me I have tried to get one here...my wife and I wanted to buy a new 79 in japan and have it imported...could not get plates/insurance with out having it road tested which is crazy expensive.
Chris
collierunner
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A dealer region really needs to push for these.
The military is getting them. Why can't we?
U.S. Military Will Test Toyota Land Cruiser, Hilux And Ford Ranger As War Vehicles
The military is getting them. Why can't we?
U.S. Military Will Test Toyota Land Cruiser, Hilux And Ford Ranger As War Vehicles
