Not mine, but supposed 2016 Land Cruiser Double Cab Pickup for sale...
- Thread starter PIPA
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That's from the "original promoter", we were just told he's no longer involved. I need a summary sheet to keep up.
When does someone get to see it?Colorado Springs: NORAD. Cheyenne Mountain.
Hell, Jason, let me know and maybe I can fly over for 79 preview and some Mexican with you, Onur, John
I would also be glad to fly over to inspect and go over the paperwork to confirm it is here legally.
Quick question about GVW upgrade: Will the axles be upgraded to meet the new rating and will the trucks have new placards reflecting the new upgraded GVW?
Hey John -
On MUD and in the larger Land Cruiser community, if you ask, you usually get....something. Not always what you want, but usually something of value.
Thanks for taking time with me on the phone last week. You sound like a committed, passionate guy trying to do the right thing. In spite of months of (hopefully) good natured commentary/abuse, I really hope you will be successful.
As one of the repeat posters on this thread, I have gotten some personal messages with questions that other folks are too polite to ask, so on behalf of the tribe, community, swarm, etc. I would like to post them here with the hope that you can respond and help some of our members get more comfortable with you, your offering and your firm. If not, no problem, just a potential source of more questions.
We understand that we are not our brother's keeper in business and you are a different guy, but there are really only two key issues embodied in the queries above:
#1 - Can I/we depend on the people/firm not to rip us off? and
#2 - When can I safely buy a new diesel 70 Series that has been fully documented for sale in this country?
Thank you for your response. Any other photos, documentation, references (personal, banking, legal, trade) would be most appreciated. These elements are likely more important to an early response to your offer than accesories and upgrades.
I look forward to celebrating your success.
Ward
On MUD and in the larger Land Cruiser community, if you ask, you usually get....something. Not always what you want, but usually something of value.
Thanks for taking time with me on the phone last week. You sound like a committed, passionate guy trying to do the right thing. In spite of months of (hopefully) good natured commentary/abuse, I really hope you will be successful.
As one of the repeat posters on this thread, I have gotten some personal messages with questions that other folks are too polite to ask, so on behalf of the tribe, community, swarm, etc. I would like to post them here with the hope that you can respond and help some of our members get more comfortable with you, your offering and your firm. If not, no problem, just a potential source of more questions.
- What is the ownership of LC America, Inc.? Named individuals and percentages, including beneficial owners if held through an other corporate entity or limited liability company.
- What is the relationship between yourself and Michael Papp of @mikeshomeworks - the original poster/promoter on eBay and MUD? Sibling, cousin, parent? To what degree does Michael retain any interest in LC America as owner, creditor, licensee, contingent beneficiary, etc. either in his own name or through an intermediary?
- Are you working at LC America full time as CEO and Project Manager or are you still employed as a professional recruiter?
- What other staff are working on this project at this time?
- How many trucks are on the ground as of this date (14 July, 2017)?
- Where are you in the process of "federalizing" the VDJ79 platform?
- When do you anticipate that you will have final approval with all documentation, data stickers, etc. in place?
- When do you anticipate that you will have a final, published price list?
- Will you operate as a dealer under state law as well as a manufacturer?
- Will you provide financing, warranty support and other elements of value for your purchasers along with vehicle accessories? Assuming Toyota in USA will view these vehicles as something other than welcome visitors, how will you coordinate/provide/pay for warranty calls, both on the source vehicle and for the final LC America product?
- Will you sell a VDJ79 two or four door model without any modifications or accessories (other than required emission modifications)?
- Will these vehicles be titled as Toyotas or LC America vehicles?
We understand that we are not our brother's keeper in business and you are a different guy, but there are really only two key issues embodied in the queries above:
#1 - Can I/we depend on the people/firm not to rip us off? and
#2 - When can I safely buy a new diesel 70 Series that has been fully documented for sale in this country?
Thank you for your response. Any other photos, documentation, references (personal, banking, legal, trade) would be most appreciated. These elements are likely more important to an early response to your offer than accesories and upgrades.
I look forward to celebrating your success.
Ward
Ward --
All great question / concerns -- quite a handful indeed! My first response is, to the best of my ability I will do ALL that I possibly can to answer ALL of your questions as completely as possible -- but that will take a bit of time. Second -- my feeling, and again, just my feeling -- is that given the nature of this endeavor, there are some things that I just can't share. That said, I will do my absolute very best to keep those "I can't disclose issues" to a bare minimum. I hope that makes sense.
Stay tuned,
John
All great question / concerns -- quite a handful indeed! My first response is, to the best of my ability I will do ALL that I possibly can to answer ALL of your questions as completely as possible -- but that will take a bit of time. Second -- my feeling, and again, just my feeling -- is that given the nature of this endeavor, there are some things that I just can't share. That said, I will do my absolute very best to keep those "I can't disclose issues" to a bare minimum. I hope that makes sense.
Stay tuned,
John
Thanks John
More smoke and mirrors 
I don't want to be Debbie Downer here but lets say this is really happening, won't Toyota shut it down really fast by telling the overseas dealer or distributor to cease all sales to Mr. Papp? If that is the case, better act fast. I can see that happening but then again I am wrong often.
Good point, thanks!
Hello John:
I am still waiting on location information so I can come down and fairly and accurately inspect your first 79 series.
I am available any time to do this.
Thank you.
-onur
I am still waiting on location information so I can come down and fairly and accurately inspect your first 79 series.
I am available any time to do this.
Thank you.
-onur
Tough audience 
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Just remember folks it has been done before, with G-Wagens!
It is not impossible but they will be very very expensive and only a select few will be able to afford them.
Cheers
It is not impossible but they will be very very expensive and only a select few will be able to afford them.
Cheers
These vehicles sell for $50k to $55k base in Australia and certainly the expense to import, retrofit these vehicles to US-spec and create the LC America itself is not insignificant. That said, our primary goal in pursuing this venture was never to make money -- this was primarily / simply a proof of concept exercise. Our goal is and remains to keep the price as reasonable as possible so that more people can experience the fun of owning one of these legendary vehicles. As such, we expect the cost of our base vehicle to run about $70k and the GXL to come in at around $95k – but we won’t have final pricing for several months yet. Steep, but if you look at what you are getting in capability comparison to what is available in other vehicles – and add in the cool / limited factor – these really are reasonable.
You are not telling us anything we don't already know. Many of us have been doing Toyota Land Cruisers for over three decades.
Where is the first vehicle you successfully brought into the country and where can I come and see it and report back to the community?
Thank you.
What Onur @beno said -
Those of us in the business can source these new in multiple markets, including Central America, the Gulf and Africa. Australia /would not be my source market of choice due to steering, but here is pricing from the model year launch, around $74,000 and the stated price (I believe) includes Australian GST of 10%, so the net number for an export vehicle is closer to $67,000. Our Australian readers can confirm and/or give us a more current number. Then there is good old fashioned negotiation with the sales agent.
So we have a rough answer (approximate price) to one of 13 explicit questions proffered by yours truly and @FJ73Texas. Answers to all of these questions should be on the tip of the vendor's tongue and on its website FAQs. Other than deep detail on trade secrets prior to release, they are all reasonable.
I like to know who I am doing business with, including the seller's investors, licensees, stakeholders, and suppliers. You told me Michael (your brother?) is no longer involved, but does that mean he has no financial interest or management influence?
Per the question from @FJ73Texas about Toyota Corporation and its view of your efforts., that is a major concern for me at least. Some of us work for Toyota and its affiliated dealers and others have close ties in one form or another. Love to hear an answer to his question.
No trolling or sniping, just trying to advance the concept and help find the soft spots so LCA can be successful.