Your Thoughts on the LC 250? (5 Viewers)

[malden]

The 70 is back again in Japan, according to the article linked below. Toyota plans to sell only about 400 per year there.

The “monthly” sales rate for the new 70 series on sale in Japan since November 2023 is 400 units, so annual targets are in the 5000 units range. The first three years production of the 4dr model sold out in weeks in Japan and orders were put on hold at dealers. Japanese buyers are awaiting news to know when the highest quality plant at Yoshiwara will open up ordering again.

The good news is that Toyota hinted the possible release of a classic 70 series SWB at the January 2025 auto shows in Japan, including a MT “manual transmission” version. The rumor mill is churning out an end of 2025 release date and excitement is running high for this new "vintage" remake 70s model.

From bestcarweb.jp:

“The Rankle 70, which is currently on sale, combines a 2.8L direct injection turbo diesel engine with a 6-speed AT, and the drive system is a full-fledged off-roader with a part-time 4WD drive system. Currently (as of November 2024), it is sold as a catalog model, and the monthly sales plan is announced to be 400 units. The delivery time seems to be 1 to 2 years, but if you buy it after a long waiting for delivery, there is a high possibility that the value will increase eventually.

The Toyota "Land Cruiser 70", which was revived for the second time in November 2023, is also likely to increase in value. The price of the vehicle itself is 4.8 million yen including tax

While maintaining the excellent off-road driving and durability of the Rankle 70, the powertrain, maneuvering stability, design, and safety performance have been updated to meet modern standards.

What, seriously!? The Land Cruiser 70's Narrow and MT may be officially on sale
January 17, 2025 / Tokyo Auto Salon

Tokyo Auto Salon closed safely again this year. Among the many exhibition vehicles, there was a car that could not be missed. It is the Land Cruiser 70 at the Gunma Toyota Group (GTG) booth. If you look closely, this 70 is a narrow body (SWB) with basic equipment. The path to the revival of the 70 Narrow was hidden in the exhibition vehicle, which was reminiscent of the LX grade of the first 70. There is also a 70 narrow body (SWB) with a domestic specification addition of MT.

 

[Phillyd2]

It’s a Prado, not a 4Runner. Two very similar vehicles with different packaging. Always has been, nothing new to see other than that the Prado is now sold here where it wasn’t previously.

It was different like the 460 was. Now its similar to the 4R like the FJ was.

The 4R and FJ are both wonderful but neither are a LC.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

The “monthly” sales rate for the new 70 series on sale in Japan since November 2023 is 400 units, so annual targets are in the 5000 units range. The first three years production of the 4dr model sold out in weeks in Japan and orders were put on hold at dealers. Japanese buyers are awaiting news to know when the highest quality plant at Yoshiwara will open up ordering again...

Yeah, apparently Car and Driver got that number wrong. The Toyota website also says 400 monthly rather than yearly. Price given equates to approximately $32K USD. Toyota Re-introduces the Land Cruiser "70" in Japan | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website - https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/40139890.html#:~:text=Toyota%20City%2C%20Japan%2C%20November%2029,in%20Japan%20today%2C%20November%2029.

 

[Zill]

Yeah, apparently Car and Driver got that number wrong. The Toyota website also says 400 monthly rather than yearly. Price given equates to approximately $32K USD. Toyota Re-introduces the Land Cruiser "70" in Japan | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website - https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/toyota/40139890.html#:~:text=Toyota%20City%2C%20Japan%2C%20November%2029,in%20Japan%20today%2C%20November%2029.

Take my money now! 32k is a steal for simple (new) reliable tech.

Gotta love a strong US Dollar due to high interest rates.

 

[Jetboy]

Take my money now! 32k is a steal for simple (new) reliable tech.

Gotta love a strong US Dollar due to high interest rates.

Lc300 and LC250 in Japan are both $35k for base models.

 

[Zill]

Lc300 and LC250 in Japan are both $35k for base models.

So we’re getting hosed in the US then?

 

[Jetboy]

So we’re getting hosed in the US then?

Basically - yes. There's about $1k for shipping and 2.5% tariffs on top if you were allowed to import. I think Trump is bumping that tariff up to 25% tomorrow. But even then it'd be a lot cheaper than USA pricing.

 

[TWILLY]

So we’re getting hosed in the US then?

They've force fed the U.S. high-margin luxury bloat for decades.

Imagine their margin on U.S. spec 200s when they can sell 300s for a third as much.

 

[Noctilucent]

Glad I picked the 250 over the 200.

At the end of the day I just don't agree with pitting the two against each other when it's not an apples to apples comparison. It's like a bout between Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather. Both can scrap but one is obviously not built like the other. To the point it's not fair.

200 > 300
150 > 250
70 > Umm...

Yep, the LC250 is a Light Duty Land Cruiser, The 200 is a Station Wagon Lang Cruiser and the 70 is a Heavy duty Land Cruiser, all three are 100% Land Cruisers just in different divisions but be rest assured they are all the champions of their division

 

[Rednexus]

Take my money now! 32k is a steal for simple (new) reliable tech.

Gotta love a strong US Dollar due to high interest rates.

Does the 70 have any chance of passing US safety, crash, fuel economy, and emissions regulations?

 

[Specialeyes]

Does the 70 have any chance of passing US safety, crash, fuel economy, and emissions regulations?

Zero. It’s basically a tractor compared to what’s on sale over here.

 

[Rednexus]

Zero. It’s basically a tractor compared to what’s on sale over here.

My point exactly .

Toyota isn't ripping us off. Instead, our Federal regulatory policies (regardless of if you think they are a good or a bad thing) are a de facto ban on Toyota selling us inexpensive and reliable vehicles like the 70.

 

[cruisergreen]

It was different like the 460 was. Now its similar to the 4R like the FJ was.

The 4R and FJ are both wonderful but neither are a LC.

For at least the last two generations the 4Runner has been a cheaper-american-bro Prado. No one here should be surprised that the Prado and 4Runner are similar.
This latest generation they made the "light duty" LC more like the "station wagon" LC (wheel-base, size, etc.) and the 4R came along with it.

 

[malden]

Toyota isn't ripping us off. Instead, our Federal regulatory policies (regardless of if you think they are a good or a bad thing) are a de facto ban on Toyota selling us inexpensive and reliable vehicles like the 70.

The rest of the article on the SWB version suggests that a large Japanese conglomerate is looking to replace an aging fleet of trucks with the new 70 series SWB. So Toyota released this unit at the Toyota show to gauge interest from the general public as well. They say that interest has proven very strong for this no frills base model considering it utility and reliability but also its projected cost of under $20,000 (3 million yen.) The article goes on to say that while the release of the SWB 70 in Japan is almost certain, the chances for a manual transmission version is doubtful. The writers also say that the 70 series is probably the greatest cash cow in the Toyota or any other auto manufacturer’s line for its longevity and continued worldwide demand and popularity.

Other chatter suggests that Toyota is making investments to bring the 70 in compliance with new Japanese standards. This indicates that there is a continuing story for the new old truck beyond the initial 15K units run. There is also talk about an entirely new as opposed to an updated 70 series being released.

I think a $20K SWB 70 series tractor with the 2.8l diesel engine and steel rims would be a welcome replacement for my aging LJ70 someday. But Hades will freeze over before such a vehicle is authorized in the EU so all we have on offer is a nearly $90k 250 with the same diesel engine. That means almost 5 tractors for a single 250, the newest cash cow in the Toyota line.

 

[Phillyd2]

For at least the last two generations the 4Runner has been a cheaper-american-bro Prado. No one here should be surprised that the Prado and 4Runner are similar.
This latest generation they made the "light duty" LC more like the "station wagon" LC (wheel-base, size, etc.) and the 4R came along with it.

And now the latest generation 250 is as well. I honestly don't understand why this basic obvious reality is so controversial but there you have it.

 

[MRego]

At the end of the day I just don't agree with pitting the two against each other when it's not an apples to apples comparison. It's like a bout between Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather. Both can scrap but one is obviously not built like the other. To the point it's not fair.

200 > 300
150 > 250
70 > Umm...

You preaching to the choir here. This has been my point all along, I was just explaining why the comparison started in the first place.

You're really hung up on vehicle names, aren't you?

Not in general, but you clearly do not understand what the name plate Land Cruiser means to most here in this Forum.

 

[offoradjunkie]

Obviously, Toyota doesn't care about the names much either if you look at the family tree of Land Cruiser/GX/LX/Prado market not just in the US but everywhere.
If you went strictly by the name of Land Cruiser half the people in this forum wouldn't be here.

 

[tacoshawn]

At then end of the day, Toyota is a publicly-traded enterprise reporting to their shareholders. Their shareholders want top line sales and profit. You don’t get that by lowering prices with lower cost models, particularly in the US.

Why is the model mix and pricing the way it is? Because they can and it maximizes market share, revenue and profit and makes shareholders happy. The US and EU regulations protect Toyota from directly competing with the Chinese automakers who will always be able to undercut them in the US and Japan and Europe.

The new tariff’s will drive up prices for imported vehicles. The lever car companies have is to try to go with lower trims to try to maintain some affordability and market share for the US consumer. Sales volume will simply go down as US consumers have finite wallets.

As of today TM is still up 34% in the last 2 years. It is down today, the stock price will tell us what the investment community thinks of how TM will fare.

At the end of the day TM and the other auto companies rely on the US market price point to underpin sales & earnings. Like or or not, they don’t want to bring truly cheap vehicles to the US and reduce sales/profit. Your capitalist choice is to buy or not buy. Vote with your $$$ all y’all. BTW, the market voted on the LC250 with 29,113 units in 2024, 10x the yearly rate of the LC200.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Lc300 and LC250 in Japan are both $35k for base models.

Isn't the strong dollar vs. yen partly responsible for this discrepancy? I was recently talking with a Japanese woman and she said now is a great time to visit her country due to the exchange rate.

 

[Girl Dad of 3]

Isn't the strong dollar vs. yen partly responsible for this discrepancy? I was recently talking with a Japanese woman and she said now is a great time to visit her country due to the exchange rate.

Absolutely. I traveled to japan last year and everything was about 30%-40% off compared with the price for the same thing back in the States.