Why did Toyota stop making Land Cruiser?
Toyota has announced that it will discontinue production of the iconic Land Cruiser SUV in the United States after the 2021 model year. This decision marks the end of an era for one of the most legendary and long-running off-road vehicles in automotive history.
The Reasons Behind Toyota's Decision
There are several key factors that contributed to Toyota's decision to stop selling the Land Cruiser in the U.S. market:
- Declining Sales: The Land Cruiser has always been a niche product, and in recent years, its sales have been declining steadily. In 2020, Toyota sold just 3,536 Land Cruisers in the U.S., a far cry from its heyday when it was a more popular choice for off-road enthusiasts and adventurers.
- Shift Towards Crossovers and SUVs: Consumer preferences have shifted away from traditional body-on-frame SUVs like the Land Cruiser towards more car-like crossover models. This trend has made it increasingly difficult for the Land Cruiser to compete in the crowded SUV market.
- High Price Tag: The Land Cruiser has always been one of the most expensive SUVs on the market, with a starting price of around $85,000. This high price point has made it inaccessible to many buyers, especially as more affordable and feature-rich alternatives have become available.
- Emissions and Fuel Economy Regulations: The Land Cruiser's large, powerful V8 engine and heavy body-on-frame construction have made it difficult for Toyota to meet increasingly stringent emissions and fuel economy regulations, particularly in the U.S. market.
While the Land Cruiser will no longer be sold in the U.S., it will continue to be available in other markets around the world, where it remains a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts and adventurers.
The Legacy of the Toyota Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser has a long and storied history, dating back to the 1950s. It has earned a reputation as one of the most capable and reliable off-road vehicles ever produced, with a reputation for durability and go-anywhere performance that has made it a favorite among adventurers, explorers, and military forces around the world.
Despite the discontinuation of the Land Cruiser in the U.S. market, its legacy will continue to live on, as Toyota focuses on developing new and innovative SUV and crossover models to meet the changing demands of the market.
