Toyota Land Cruiser may depart from the US market

KUALA LUMPUR: Toyota Land Cruiser first hit the market in 1951 and so far it has appeared as a station wagon, convertible, and, most recently, as an SUV. The current-generation of this oldest and longest-running Toyota’s nameplate has been on sale since 2000, which only received a mild update in 2016. This made it an outdated piece of machinery resulting in low sales numbers.

The reports mentioning the exit of the Land Cruiser from the market after the ongoing generation have started coming last year. Although Toyota has issued a statement that no decision has yet been made regarding the fate of the Land Cruiser.

Recently, Motor Authority cited a report of IH8Mud Forums, in which the General Manager of Ed Martin Toyota dealership claimed that Toyota will rollback the 200-Series Land Cruiser in the United States after the 2021 model year. The said forum is a popular spot for Land Cruiser fans and owners.

However, the report states that the Japanese automaker will continue the Lexus LX nameplate, which is the same truck under a different moniker.It goes for a considerably higher premium with the added options. For the 2021 model year, it would have a turbo V6 under the bonnet instead of the ongoing 5.7-litre V8.

Regarding the Land Cruiser Heritage Edition, the same source told that it will return with a third row for the next year. Toyota introduced this special edition at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show and currently, it is priced around $80,000 mark.

Although, Toyota has not yet made any comment on this and even the said forum has deleted the post. But, it is true then this will be the end of the iconic nameplate in the country. About its continuation or discontinuation in other markets, no such reports have been there. These include Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, where the nameplate sells in higher volumes.

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