A few weeks ago I bought a new 2012, GXR 200 series with cloth seats, auto trans, the D4D twin turbo diesel v8, no KDSS, no side airbags, center but no rear diff lock, center console coolbox, a crapy single disc CD player.... In other words what's constitutes a "mid level" spec 200 outside North America. My price new was $45,500. I could have had it in manual transmission for $2500 less (but they substantially cut the torque/power on the manual trans, and the manual is a 5 speed whereas the auto is 6). This engine has more torque than the 5.7 but will go over 1000km on the tank (not sure exactly how far, I still am on the initial tank). You can get the bare bones 200 series here with the 4.0l v6, manual trans, no carpet, for $40k.
So this thread could be about why doesn't Toyota offer the diesel in the US, or a lower spec with cloth seats, etc in the US? The rear diff lock is just one of many options they have chosen not to give in the North American Market.
I already have a 100 series, and a new 76 series for offroad, so don't care that my 200 doesn't have a rear diff lock, it will be our road trip car and my wife's daily driver. I was actually in the market for a Sequoia, but at the same price I went with the diesel 200. But if I had been looking for a more offroad capable 200, I could have bought a 200 with rear mounted tire (makes it easy to add a long-ranger tank), 4.6l v8, locking center and rear diffs, and factory winch, for $50,600.
Personally I think those lower spec 200s and diesels would sell like hot-cakes in the US. But how would that impact the Tundra/Sequoia plant in San Antonio?
