The Toyota Land Cruiser, a beloved SUV that outsold its Lexus LX sibling last year, has been discontinued in the United States. After decades of slow sales, the Land Cruiser left the US market with a heavy heart. But why did the automaker stop producing this popular Toyota SUV? The answer may lie in the fact that the Land Cruiser was too popular elsewhere, but not in the US. The Toyota Land Cruiser has a large fan base around the world and in the US, but its sales numbers weren't enough to keep it in production.
The automaker suggested that American buyers consider the Sequoia, 4Runner or Tundra, as they “share the bold spirit and rugged capability of the Land Cruiser.”Comparing the Land Cruiser to other vehicles gives more information about Toyota's decision to phase out the SUV. The Land Cruiser is still available in many other countries and is more popular than ever. But in the US, its sales numbers weren't enough to keep it in production. Perhaps the Land Cruiser lasted too long and buyers didn't need a replacement. Or maybe Toyota wanted to generate expectation for a significant return to the North American market in a year or two.
Either way, chances are you won't find the new version at your local dealership this year or next. Toyota will maintain their commitment to the large SUV segment and will continue to explore future products that celebrate the Land Cruiser's rich off-road history. They encourage loyal enthusiasts and intrepid adventurers to keep an eye out for future developments. The first generation of Land Cruiser was built based on American Jeep motifs, but the Japanese wanted to contribute more. Every car manufacturer puts the most features at the lowest price, and the Land Cruiser doesn't agree to those terms. It is believed that customers are prohibited from doing so for 12 months after receiving delivery of the Land Cruiser and, if that happens, they will not be allowed to buy another Toyota. With more than 22,000 pre-orders in Japan alone, the latest Land Cruiser 300 model was also recently introduced in India.
To ensure that the new Land Cruiser does not attract similar infamy, Toyota has its new agreement policy. The Land Cruiser has been Toyota's longest production model, dating back to the Korean War in 1950. It quickly changed to what would be the everyday driving SUV that most families would love, adding more comfort options and less off-road spirit to its production constructions. Despite being withdrawn from the US market due to reduced sales, the Toyota Land Cruiser is popular in many regions of the world. In Europe, Toyota offers the Land Cruiser, Prado and the ability to choose powertrain options, making it easier for buyers to pay for the Land Cruiser. We'll just have to wait for Lexus to bring this new SUV to experience the harshness of the Land Cruiser.
While it won't arrive with a Toyota badge, it should arrive with a tuxedo like its next Lexus LX.
