Are Toyota's Prado and Badao the Same Vehicle?
2 Answers
Toyota Prado and Badao are indeed the same vehicle. Here are some details about Toyota Prado and Badao: 1. The Toyota SUV "Badao" (PRADO) produced by Sichuan Toyota was renamed to "Prado". 2. The renaming to "Prado" was a decision made in accordance with Toyota's global strategy. 3. The purpose of the renaming: Regardless of the location worldwide, as long as it is a Toyota product, its pronunciation should be similar to facilitate the unification of Toyota product names. 4. Toyota mandates that all products use transliteration: The English name for Badao is PRADO, which is transliterated as "Prado".
Speaking of the Prado and Land Cruiser Prado, they are actually different names for the same vehicle. I remember the name 'Prado' first appeared in the Chinese market around the year 2000, as a colloquial name for the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. It sounded rugged and was quite popular among car enthusiasts. However, due to advertising controversies, the company later officially renamed it to 'Land Cruiser Prado,' saying it better aligns with international transliteration. Nowadays, whether it's new or used cars on the market, the chassis, engine, and drivetrain are exactly the same, sharing V6 or four-cylinder engines. I've also driven a friend's Prado version, and it feels no different from the Land Cruiser Prado, with equally reliable durability and off-road performance. Some people get hung up on the names, but it's really just a historical transition.