The Chicken Tax..

[kreiten]

would this bring down the price of the LC 200? would this bring more variations to the US, would it bring the 70 series etc???
http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2013/163_news130805_u_s_considers_eliminating_chicken_tax/

 

[gaijin]

No. It's not about taxes.

Change the mandatory safety requirements and we'd see a lot more models in the U.S.

 

[kreiten]

No. It's not about taxes.

Change the mandatory safety requirements and we'd see a lot more models in the U.S.

not my expertise, but if they did not have a 25 percent tax on these other rigs would it not be more economically efficiante to modify etc these other varients and models for the US market? just curious

 

[kreiten]

would also bring down the price on the LC 200 in the US, right?

 

[elkaholic]

Hmmm ... that might entice Mr. T to bring some 70 series models in, but it would be only one of many considerations in changing the lineup in the US. I am not holding my breath for it to happen

But I can dream ...

 

[patrickfinley]

The US market Land Cruiser is one of the most affordable sales market in the world. It's priced higher in most other countries, like 90-120k or higher for a similarly equiped LC. I doubt the US price would ever drop much unless they offered stripped down versions. It would probably just mean a better profit margin for Toyota.

The 70 series would need a full design safety overhaul. I doubt it would happen. Not for the relatively small sales numbers it would have in the US. It sells like hotcakes just the way it is in all the rough parts of the world.

 

[OGBeno]

The US market Land Cruiser is one of the most affordable sales market in the world. It's priced higher in most other countries, like 90-120k or higher for a similarly equiped LC. I doubt the US price would ever drop much unless they offered stripped down versions. It would probably just mean a better profit margin for Toyota.

The 70 series would need a full design safety overhaul. I doubt it would happen. Not for the relatively small sales numbers it would have in the US. It sells like hotcakes just the way it is in all the rough parts of the world.

Nicely put sir.

 

[kreiten]

I don't know much about the chcken tax or import/export regulations etc... I just had assumed that TruckTrend had done their homework on this article I guess, and they eluded to the fact that getting rid of this tax would somehow bring more models to the US... I'm guessing based on the feedback on this thread that is not the general consenses here...


"Should the Chicken Tax disappear, what trucks or vans would you like to see roaming U.S. streets? Truck enthusiasts have lusted for the Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok. Would you want Mercedes-Benz to bring over its Unimog?"

 

[LCKID]

The US market Land Cruiser is one of the most affordable sales market in the world. It's priced higher in most other countries, like 90-120k or higher for a similarly equiped LC. I doubt the US price would ever drop much unless they offered stripped down versions. It would probably just mean a better profit margin for Toyota.

The 70 series would need a full design safety overhaul. I doubt it would happen. Not for the relatively small sales numbers it would have in the US. It sells like hotcakes just the way it is in all the rough parts of the world.

US is by far the cheapest place to buy a 5.7L LC200, anything else (diesel/4.6L) you need to buy elsewhere. Mid east model (5.7L) is slightly (3-5bhp) less than the US one; can only presume the "Gulf spec" has a high-output alternator that causes slight reduction in bhp. one can even buy an LX570 in the US for the price of an LC200 elsewhere...

 

[maujkar]

Currently in Saudi (top spec VXR-2013): - Engine: 5.7L V8 362 hp, is roughly for $79,000/-

 

[LCKID]

Currently in Saudi (top spec VXR-2013): - Engine: 5.7L V8 362 hp, is roughly for $79,000/-

I stand corrected, almost 20bhp difference in the US and Gulf-spec. My '13 was just above US$72'000 + tax (refunded - truck exported without every being registered)

 

[snobdds]

Just have Toyota stop building the 70/200 series in Japan. Start building them in the US at an expanded Tundra plant (would need retooled)...and that get's rid of the 25% tariff on the "truck" import duties.
The LC is now a $60,000 truck, I won't complicate it with currency exchange rates, all things equaled.

But...there may be some sacrifice in quality in the trade-off. The profit margin for Toyota, since all parts will either have to be shipped or sourced in the US at a higher labor rate, will decrease. The question then becomes is it worth it in the long run for Toyota?

I think, no...It makes no sense.

 

[Sam Stewart]

I was told by one of the VPs from Toyota (TMS) that they will never bring a Hilux or any small diesel car or truck to the US. It doesn't make sense for them. The market here is geared towards gas guzzling V8s (trucks) or small displacement gas sippers (cars). There is no market for a small diesel. Plus the regulations from the US government on diesel emissions and safety requirements just make it not feasible. ALSO diesel costs considerably more here whereas most other parts of the world it is cheaper than petrol. Again, that is due to the emissions requirements, which increases fuel productions costs, etc, etc, etc. Trust me, I want a Prado as much (or probably more) than the next guy but it ain't gonna happen.

The ONLY diesel that we MIGHT (and that's still a BIG MIGHT) see from Toyota is a 1 ton version of the Tundra, which they are currently testing in undisclosed locations...

 

[Footwork]

I was told by one of the VPs from Toyota (TMS) that they will never bring a Hilux or any small diesel car or truck to the US. It doesn't make sense for them. The market here is geared towards gas guzzling V8s (trucks) or small displacement gas sippers (cars). There is no market for a small diesel. Plus the regulations from the US government on diesel emissions and safety requirements just make it not feasible. ALSO diesel costs considerably more here whereas most other parts of the world it is cheaper than petrol. Again, that is due to the emissions requirements, which increases fuel productions costs, etc, etc, etc. Trust me, I want a Prado as much (or probably more) than the next guy but it ain't gonna happen.

The ONLY diesel that we MIGHT (and that's still a BIG MIGHT) see from Toyota is a 1 ton version of the Tundra, which they are currently testing in undisclosed locations...

If that's trueToyota is out-of-touch with the diesel market potential in the states.

 

[patrickfinley]

If that's trueToyota is out-of-touch with the diesel market potential in the states.

They are pretty in tune with what potential sales could be. IMHO a Diesel Tundra 1 ton would be the only highly successful selling Diesel truck in the US for Toyota. Something that can compete with the Ford F Series, as long as it had a big enough diesel engine. A Tacoma Diesel may also have reasonable sales.

Sales for large SUV's makes up a very very small portion of the overall Toyota Sales volume. For example the Toyota Highlander sales numbers are almost twice that of the larger SUV's combined (4Runner, FJ, Land Cruiser, Sequoia). A diesel variant SUV would probably only pick up a small portion of these already small sales.

As of yet in the US, there are not enough people like the IH8MUD crew that would jump at the chance to own a Diesel Toyota. That being said, I'm sure Toyota is keeping out an eye to see how the Diesel Jeep Cherokee sells.

 

[patrickfinley]

I just had assumed that TruckTrend had done their homework on this article I guess, and they eluded to the fact that getting rid of this tax would somehow bring more models to the US...

It could pave the way for future Toyota Trucks, but probably not old reliable ones like the 70.

 

[kreiten]

I read up some more on "The Chicken Tax", apparently it only applies to light trucks and not vehicles with rear seats and seat belts, so if that's the case Toyota is not having to pay the 25 percent tarriff on the 200 sereis, correct? Which would explain why the Tundra is built in the US to get around that tax! I guess they use to import just the truck and chassis into the US to get aroudn the tax, and then install the bed here in the States, until that loop hole was closed in 1980

 

[boobook]

Just have Toyota stop building the 70/200 series in Japan. Start building them in the US at an expanded Tundra plant (would need retooled)...and that get's rid of the 25% tariff on the "truck" import duties.
The LC is now a $60,000 truck, I won't complicate it with currency exchange rates, all things equaled.

But...there may be some sacrifice in quality in the trade-off. The profit margin for Toyota, since all parts will either have to be shipped or sourced in the US at a higher labor rate, will decrease. The question then becomes is it worth it in the long run for Toyota?

I think, no...It makes no sense.

Honestly I don't know what you guys are complaining about.

The 200 Sahara, which is not as well equipped as your 200, but in 4.5 diesel is about $105K USD here in Australia. The 4.6 gas is still about $100K. We must love em though, as I read that we buy about 10 times the total quantity of US 200 sales, and our population is only 23million. Guess we just have a better country to explore.

 

[OGBeno]

Honestly I don't know what you guys are complaining about. The 200 Sahara, which is not as well equipped as your 200, but in 4.5 diesel is about $105K USD here in Australia. The 4.6 gas is still about $100K. We must love em though, as I read that we buy about 10 times the total quantity of US 200 sales, and our population is only 23million. Guess we just have a better country to explore.

Actually, the 200 series was launched in Australia vs any other market. You guys are the target market for almost 95% of LCs being manufactured.

The other markets are the Middle East and Africa. Central and South America a far 3rd place.

Europe and North America are not even blips on the radar for LC purchase. They sell way more of the Lexus GX than they do the LC. The LX does well in the markets merely because it is badged as a halo vehicle.

Much easier and cheaper to purchase the Prado and get the name plate and be good to go--which is why Toyota is manufacturing more Prados than anything and outsourcing most of that production to Russia, India, China, Indonesia, And Thailand.

 

[Footwork]

When they stop making LC's in Japan I'm going to stop buying them.