I have fond memories of new 80 series LC's. In short i wanted to find a really nice used 80. After one second in the driver's seat of my first 80 test drive, I noticed that my mid 40's 210lbs body did not fit like my mid 20's 190 lbs body did. In fact it felt just like my 96 4Runner Limited in size.
I moved to a 100 series search and am glad i did. I found the perfect 100 for me and I just got my wife a certified LX570. THE LX IS A HUGE PIG. I Love it, but just too large for me. Kind of like the new Tundra's I have driven with less plastic dash parts and a better ride.
These two cars in the driveway got me thinking about the next Gen LC/LX and how Toyota could increase sales in the us.
A more detailed and radical option: ( I hope TMS reads this stuff )
There is always the possibility of a US-Texas Next-Gen Tundra-based LC/LX using a new Tundra architecture built in San Antonio. The next Tundra should be even better and the LC/LX line could be built as a US Domestic model. With western production they could also be shipped south all the way to the Tip of South America thus eliminating shipping Japan-sourced vehicles to this side of the globe.
The current Tundra/Sequoia is just not as solid and could not live up to Land Cruiser standards, (If you have driven a Sequoia you understand) but a redesigned architecture rebadging full size Toyota trucks as Land Cruiser's would allow the Tundra (Full-size) Toyota Truck to become what it truly is: A high-end Toyota/Lexus enthusiast, status-truck that demands a premium over Domestic trucks. The premium would be in build quality and durability and not necessarily in leather and chrome wheels. I think Toyota truck buyers like the fact their trucks are considered higher-end than Domestics. The Domestic drivers will admit Toyota quality is superior but will not drive them in large numbers. By upgrading the next Tundra platform it allows LC and LX to be US built. I would love to have a rough and tough Land Cruiser branded Pickup truck with rubber floor mats or a High-end Land Cruiser pick up to match a new 300 series Land Cruiser/Lexus LX in the garage. The Tundra and the 200 are currently too large in my opinion anyway. They both need to go on a diet. A 100 series-sized Land Cruiser built on a new stiff frame that is also used to build high quality "Full Size" Toyota Land Cruiser trucks would make the oversized, bloated, plastic wrapped, impossible to park, Tundra a distant memory. If the frame, chassis, dash, engine, electronics etc were the same in my new full size Toyota pickup as my new 300 series Land Cruiser, then all the better for the Toyota Truck buyer. Price them at a $5000 to $10,000 premium to a Dodge and make no apologies. Let the domestic- drivers jeer at the Land Cruiser pick ups just like Samsung owners glare are the Apple folks. People will pay up for quality. This volume increase should also allow Land Cruiser prices to moderate a bit. The $80K level client just does not dig your typical Toyota dealer experience. Simplify the Land Cruiser slightly and make the LX the $90k+ status vehicle it deserves to be. Land Cruiser can be lux, it just needs a bit less complication and gadgetry. Land Cruiser quality exists in base models as well as lux, high end models. The premium is in the quality and reliability not the NAPA leather. I like the new 2017 Armada pricing and grade strategy.
The sooner Toyota realizes the Toyota truck buyer will NEVER overtake the power of the Domesitc heritage the better. Why would a high-end manufacturer try to be mass market bland? Apple would never seek to be more Samsung like. The low volume of the Full size Toyota truck will never be at F150 levels. A Land Cruiser-quality American market pickup truck would become the next historic Toyota Icon.
Keep in mind, the new truck has to raise to the level of the Land Cruiser. Make no mistake, a rebadged Sequoia calling itself a Land Cruiser would be a tragedy. I am confident Toyota understands that and will not allow that to happen. A Land Cruiser Truck / SUV line is a bold and amazing proposition. The dealers would love it and a base, mid level, and lux variant of the truck and SUV would expand the Land Cruiser brand to new levels without killing the iconic status of the Land Cruiser.
RKTINC
I moved to a 100 series search and am glad i did. I found the perfect 100 for me and I just got my wife a certified LX570. THE LX IS A HUGE PIG. I Love it, but just too large for me. Kind of like the new Tundra's I have driven with less plastic dash parts and a better ride.
These two cars in the driveway got me thinking about the next Gen LC/LX and how Toyota could increase sales in the us.
A more detailed and radical option: ( I hope TMS reads this stuff )
There is always the possibility of a US-Texas Next-Gen Tundra-based LC/LX using a new Tundra architecture built in San Antonio. The next Tundra should be even better and the LC/LX line could be built as a US Domestic model. With western production they could also be shipped south all the way to the Tip of South America thus eliminating shipping Japan-sourced vehicles to this side of the globe.
The current Tundra/Sequoia is just not as solid and could not live up to Land Cruiser standards, (If you have driven a Sequoia you understand) but a redesigned architecture rebadging full size Toyota trucks as Land Cruiser's would allow the Tundra (Full-size) Toyota Truck to become what it truly is: A high-end Toyota/Lexus enthusiast, status-truck that demands a premium over Domestic trucks. The premium would be in build quality and durability and not necessarily in leather and chrome wheels. I think Toyota truck buyers like the fact their trucks are considered higher-end than Domestics. The Domestic drivers will admit Toyota quality is superior but will not drive them in large numbers. By upgrading the next Tundra platform it allows LC and LX to be US built. I would love to have a rough and tough Land Cruiser branded Pickup truck with rubber floor mats or a High-end Land Cruiser pick up to match a new 300 series Land Cruiser/Lexus LX in the garage. The Tundra and the 200 are currently too large in my opinion anyway. They both need to go on a diet. A 100 series-sized Land Cruiser built on a new stiff frame that is also used to build high quality "Full Size" Toyota Land Cruiser trucks would make the oversized, bloated, plastic wrapped, impossible to park, Tundra a distant memory. If the frame, chassis, dash, engine, electronics etc were the same in my new full size Toyota pickup as my new 300 series Land Cruiser, then all the better for the Toyota Truck buyer. Price them at a $5000 to $10,000 premium to a Dodge and make no apologies. Let the domestic- drivers jeer at the Land Cruiser pick ups just like Samsung owners glare are the Apple folks. People will pay up for quality. This volume increase should also allow Land Cruiser prices to moderate a bit. The $80K level client just does not dig your typical Toyota dealer experience. Simplify the Land Cruiser slightly and make the LX the $90k+ status vehicle it deserves to be. Land Cruiser can be lux, it just needs a bit less complication and gadgetry. Land Cruiser quality exists in base models as well as lux, high end models. The premium is in the quality and reliability not the NAPA leather. I like the new 2017 Armada pricing and grade strategy.
The sooner Toyota realizes the Toyota truck buyer will NEVER overtake the power of the Domesitc heritage the better. Why would a high-end manufacturer try to be mass market bland? Apple would never seek to be more Samsung like. The low volume of the Full size Toyota truck will never be at F150 levels. A Land Cruiser-quality American market pickup truck would become the next historic Toyota Icon.
Keep in mind, the new truck has to raise to the level of the Land Cruiser. Make no mistake, a rebadged Sequoia calling itself a Land Cruiser would be a tragedy. I am confident Toyota understands that and will not allow that to happen. A Land Cruiser Truck / SUV line is a bold and amazing proposition. The dealers would love it and a base, mid level, and lux variant of the truck and SUV would expand the Land Cruiser brand to new levels without killing the iconic status of the Land Cruiser.
RKTINC
