What's next for the Land Cruiser brand?

[freeze]

Seems like Toyota is still going hard at the Land Cruiser brand outside of North America.

Anyone know what their future direction is in North America? Is it going still in the way of luxury or are we going to see more dedicated off-road models?

[canadian bum]

I doubt we will get to see anything like that. Very little market considering the majority are a bunch of mall crawlers and the North American market is a throw away market as soon as warranty is up so no sence bringing in vehicles that go 500,000km's that would just end up junked at 200,000km's because we got bored of driving it and there is no new car smell haha.

[freeze]

It's kinda strange cause Toyota USA is really trying to kick up the Off-Road market with the Trail Teams and Trail Edition versions. It would be nice if they put some effort into the Land Cruiser brand instead of off loading into the Lexus brand.

[canadian bum]

Yeah I think the 70 series is too rugged for North America it is basically unchanged since the begining so that doesn't fit in with our market when after a few years people and magazines complain and say it looks dated or needs more cup holders or some stupid thing like that. Only thing that has changed on the 70 is engines, front coil springs in early 2000's and just a grill upgrade. Otherwise all the same to my knowledge. And well things get old fast here.

[freeze]

The 70 series today is pretty modernized but still has some amazing features.

http://www.toyota.com.au/TWR/content/static/68076.jpg

http://www.toyota.com.au/TWR/content/static/68094.jpg

http://www.toyota.com.au/TWR/content/static/68058.jpg

Imagine the possibilities when using this as the base model to mod off of!

No fuss no muss type of truck

[ed'syota]

too bad we can't get these bad boys here!!!

[Kroll]

If the 79 series truck was available in North America, the Big 3 automakers would be have some serious competition. IIRC, the only reason why the 70 series is not available in North America is due to DOT compliance and emissions standards that the republic of california created. In other words, another excuse to create a vehicular monopoly for us to get trapped in. Toyota should return to North America with the Land Cruiser as a brute, and not as an alternative to purchasing an SUV from another manufacturer.
Same goes for the Nissan Patrol....but that's another story.

[freeze]

Totally agree, I believe it's possible they could make a brute that complies with some tweaking to the emission controls on the Diesels.

This would be a dream come true!