Interesting thoughts from Toyota regarding the 250 in this week’s Automotive News (2 Viewers)

[desmocruiser]

The reason most prefer Japan built is quality, not capacity.

Definitely preferred, continuing to be an affordable option in the future is the question.

There are many reasons why many Asian automakers aren’t making cars in Japan and almost all point to cost reduction, whether it is shipping, labor, raw goods, tariffs etc.

Many of us would pay an additional 10-20% premium for Made in Japan quality, the issue is the very large US majority don’t care!

 

[Hiluxforever]

Definitely preferred, continuing to be an affordable option in the future is the question.

There are many reasons why many Asian automakers aren’t making cars in Japan and almost all point to cost reduction, whether it is shipping, labor, raw goods, tariffs etc.

Many of us would pay an additional 10-20% premium for Made in Japan quality, the issue is the very large US majority don’t care!

I am bit concerned about that. For better or worse, the Japanese economy never fully recovered from the 1988 crash and that autoplant does provide a lot of good paying jobs to folks. That plant has a legendary reputation so I don't think it would be spun down if they do decide to cut Japanese production.

 

[desmocruiser]

I am bit concerned about that. For better or worse, the Japanese economy never fully recovered from the 1988 crash and that autoplant does provide a lot of good paying jobs to folks. That plant has a legendary reputation so I don't think it would be spun down if they do decide to cut Japanese production.

I think there are plenty of Toyota/Lexus products that will continue to be made at capacity in that plant and in Japan in general. Most importantly our beloved Land Cruisers, which are sold out for the foreseeable future, as the 250 will also be.
Toyota has a significant opportunity/goal to increase GX/Prado production/volume and that capacity has to come from somewhere.

Which, just as a guess and a having been a student of the industry for 3+ decades, capacity could come from shifting a new 4Runner product to be manufactured elsewhere, not to reduce production in Japan, just to switch it to other products, while also reducing 4Runner costs or at least offsetting some of the significant investment that is needed for new technology.

I emphasize, this is a guess, I have never heard or read this is planned!!!

 

[Hiluxforever]

I think there are plenty of Toyota/Lexus products that will continue to be made at capacity in that plant and in Japan in general. Most importantly our beloved Land Cruisers, which are sold out for the foreseeable future, as the 250 will also be.
Toyota has a significant opportunity/goal to increase GX/Prado production/volume and that capacity has to come from somewhere.

Which, just as a guess and a having been a student of the industry for 3+ decades, capacity could come from shifting a new 4Runner product to be manufactured elsewhere, not to reduce production in Japan, just to switch it to other products, while also reducing 4Runner costs or at least offsetting some of the significant investment that is needed for new technology.

I emphasize, this is a guess, I have never heard or read this is planned!!!

I doubt fj cruiser production was significant, but they finished their run in the last 12 months. The other factor is how the new standard platform leads to increasing production line efficiencies.

 

[Phillyd2]

Definitely preferred, continuing to be an affordable option in the future is the question.

There are many reasons why many Asian automakers aren’t making cars in Japan and almost all point to cost reduction, whether it is shipping, labor, raw goods, tariffs etc.

Many of us would pay an additional 10-20% premium for Made in Japan quality, the issue is the very large US majority don’t care!

These days much of the preference is purely emotional and there’s just no reasoning with feelings. Those who have firmly decided not to buy if they aren’t made in Japan just means more supply for others.

 

[manofthewoods]

These days much of the preference is purely emotional and there’s just no reasoning with feelings. Those who have firmly decided not to buy if they aren’t made in Japan just means more supply for others.

As a data point...
2 weeks ago I bought a Corolla (cheapest model) for my college age daughter. Much to my surprise and joy it was a made in Japan vehicle. Which, leads me to believe that anything with a LC badge will be manufactured in Japan.
But, what do I know???

 

[Rednexus]

I've had Japanese vehicles made in Japan, Mexico, and Indiana. The build quality on all has been great with no real differences. I prefer made in Japan but it's not a deal breaker. Manufacturing in Mexico is very advanced and lots of global companies operate there.

 

[NinjahGoose]

I've had Japanese vehicles made in Japan, Mexico, and Indiana. The build quality on all has been great with no real differences. I prefer made in Japan but it's not a deal breaker. Manufacturing in Mexico is very advanced and lots of global companies operate there.

A lot of Mexican plants are newish. They operate with pretty much the most modern equipment around. If I wanted a truck I would have no concerns with buying a made-in Mexico Tacoma.

 

[Rednexus]

A lot of Mexican plants are newish. They operate with pretty much the most modern equipment around. If I wanted a truck I would have no concerns with buying a made-in Mexico Tacoma.

Agreed....my Mazda 3 was Mexican made and flawless. The workforce around Monterrey (where many of these plants are located) is very good and advanced, and as you said, these plants are all new. The labor and manufacturers know what they are doing.

The worst one of the fleet I had was an Indiana-made Subaru - probably more design features than build quality stuff. Our Indiana-made Highlander has been great but it's still new.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I've had Japanese vehicles made in Japan, Mexico, and Indiana. The build quality on all has been great with no real differences. I prefer made in Japan but it's not a deal breaker. Manufacturing in Mexico is very advanced and lots of global companies operate there.

I don't care where it's made, but there are a few Toyota plants that stick out for making extra reliable vehicles. The old Fremont plant when it was making 5 lug tacos, and geo prizms along with the Tahari plant are 2 very specific plants that happen to produce some ultra Reliable toyotas.
At the end of the day, almost all Toyotas are ultra reliable, as mentioned, but every manufacturer had a few plants that were viewed as something special.

 

[Acrad]

Isn’t the old Fremont plant now in use by Tesla?

 

[Hiluxforever]

Isn’t the old Fremont plant now in use by Tesla?

It is, it went from making some of the least reliable cars for GM to being a very reliable plant back to being a basket case averaging over 100 problems per vehicle or something insane.

It was also one of Toyota's first union plants as well, with its joint venture with GM.

NUMMI Fremont

 

[AJP]

I don't care where it's made, but there are a few Toyota plants that stick out for making extra reliable vehicles. The old Fremont plant when it was making 5 lug tacos, and geo prizms along with the Tahari plant are 2 very specific plants that happen to produce some ultra Reliable toyotas.
At the end of the day, almost all Toyotas are ultra reliable, as mentioned, but every manufacturer had a few plants that were viewed as something special.

I think this is a practical perspective. While there are no 'absolutes' some plants have teething problems and some do not. Honda had some less than stellar experience with a few of their vehicles that were coming out of Mexico. Of course that was then and this is 'now' ... quite likely that has been addressed. You pays your money and take your chances.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I think this is a practical perspective. While there are no 'absolutes' some plants have teething problems and some do not. Honda had some less than stellar experience with a few of their vehicles that were coming out of Mexico. Of course that was then and this is 'now' ... quite likely that has been addressed. You pays your money and take your chances.

Oh, for sure, no company is immune from bum engines and bum transmissions.
Barring exceptions I tend to think that the corporate culture is a much bigger factor in quality than plant location.

 

[carboncycles]

So is this another Prado or a LC.

I stopped paying attention since Woody put the smack down, but I have genuinely been wondering this. Not that it changes my mind but it's just another mundane piece of trivia that no one outside of this board would even think twice about.

 

[Hiluxforever]

So is this another Prado or a LC.

I stopped paying attention since Woody put the smack down, but I have genuinely been wondering this. Not that it changes my mind but it's just another mundane piece of trivia that no one outside of this board would even think twice about.

It's an upsized prado with a 112" wheelbase and 55k base price

 

[MotoDave]

So is this another Prado or a LC.

I stopped paying attention since Woody put the smack down, but I have genuinely been wondering this. Not that it changes my mind but it's just another mundane piece of trivia that no one outside of this board would even think twice about.

Don't forget only the 70 series regular cab pickup is a 'Real Landcruiser'. Everything else is just a minivan in disguise.

 

[Land Caesar]

So much controversy seems to be around this new Japanese made Vehicle. I’m sure the “Change” of modernization to an old name like Landcruiser is the culprit.

My 40 was a tractor with nice seats.

My 80 was a robust wagon of a truck type vehicle

My 100 was a plush variant of a robust Suv

And my Hybrid Sienna 4cyl is an Exceptionally great fuel efficient Awd vehicle.

This new 250 is a blend of all of them.

All the Cruisers were capable vehicles and all I’m sure are still running somewhere to this day.

Toyota has Prius technology down to a T ,period

There are Prius cars that run dirt roads for well over 200k miles.

This technology has been blended Together because Toyota knows it works.

The change is difficult to accept, yet not impossible to see why.





A Vehicle that can handle most of the harshest conditions most any driver would deliver is the Landcruiser name.

Hybrid reliable Fusion to that is What Toyota can do, and they did it.

Like it or not, I bet that oversized 112” wheel base Prado has a Damn good reputation as the years go on… because many here Will put it to the Test.

Heartbeat of Japan!

 

[Land Caesar]

Japan made Hybrid Technology.

Exhibit A

 

[joseywales]

It's an upsized prado with a 112" wheelbase and 55k base price

I don’t see the Prado name anywhere on it? Do the new overseas Prados say “Landcruiser“ anywhere in their badging? The quality and durability of the 250 is Toyota based, not LC or Prado based. As MotoDave said, if you want to split hairs, the 70 series is the only “real” Landcruiser left, and arguably has been that since they ceased production of the 80 series. That doesn’t diminish the 100 and 200 in any way, but they are not solid axle farm and forest rigs.