Why was the Toyota Land Cruiser discontinued?

[EmilioLee]

Toyota Land Cruiser was discontinued due to fierce competition in its class and the sales of parallel imported vehicles in the domestic market. The Land Cruiser was only discontinued in China, as it required a dedicated production line with relatively high manufacturing costs, making it less competitive among other off-road vehicles in the same segment. Here is some relevant information about the Land Cruiser: 1. Introduction: The Land Cruiser is a full-size SUV launched by Toyota, also known as the Land Cruiser. With a history spanning over fifty years, the Land Cruiser can be considered a highly successful off-road vehicle. 2. Powertrain: The Land Cruiser is equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 and a 4.6-liter V8 engine. In terms of transmission, it is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission and a 6-speed automatic transmission, respectively.

[VanBryce]

I was quite surprised when I noticed the news that the Toyota Land Cruiser was discontinued in North America. This vehicle is a favorite among off-road enthusiasts! The main issue lies with environmental policies, as North America's emission standards are becoming increasingly stringent. Big vehicles like the Land Cruiser, equipped with V8 engines, simply emit too much CO2. Additionally, the U.S. market prefers pickup trucks and urban SUVs, and the Land Cruiser's sales have been declining for several years, with fewer than 4,000 units sold last year. Manufacturers felt it wasn't cost-effective to continue production, so production line resources had to be freed up for those popular hybrid models. However, the Middle Eastern and Australian markets are still selling it, as fuel is cheap there and road conditions are rugged—demand is just different.

[DeElias]

As someone who frequently follows the automotive market, I think it's a pity but understandable that the Land Cruiser has been discontinued. In the U.S. market, this vehicle starts at over $80,000, which isn't much cheaper than the Lexus LX built on the same platform, yet its features lag far behind. Nowadays, consumers are savvy enough to prefer spending a bit more for a luxury brand. Besides, Toyota's own Sequoia and Tacoma pickup have taken over the off-road market share—the Sequoia alone sold over 50,000 units last year. Add to that the competition from new electric vehicle players like the Ford Bronco and Rivian, which are selling like hotcakes in the off-road EV segment. Rather than struggling to keep it alive, it makes more sense to free up production capacity for more profitable models like the Highlander Hybrid—after all, automakers need to prioritize profits.

[DiLayla]

Last week after a test drive, I heard that the Land Cruiser is going to be discontinued. I chatted with the salesperson for a while. They feel the product cycle is coming to an end, as this generation hasn't had a complete redesign in over a decade. The safety features and infotainment system really can't keep up with the times. Nowadays, mainstream SUVs come with Level 2 autonomous driving and smart connectivity, but the Land Cruiser doesn't even have a decent central control screen. Plus, the fuel consumption is just too high—starting at 18 liters per 100 km in the city, a full tank can't even get you 400 km. Rather than investing heavily in a redesign, it makes more sense to focus on electric vehicles. I heard Toyota is developing a solid-state battery off-roader, so we might see a brand-new electric off-roader in three to five years.

[VonLyla]

My cousin runs an auto repair shop, and he mentioned that owners of older Land Cruiser models are worried about parts availability due to the discontinuation. However, Toyota has stated in their announcement that they will maintain repair services for 15 years, so there's no need to panic about that. The main issue is cost – global raw material prices have skyrocketed, with steel and aluminum used in off-road vehicles now 40% more expensive than five years ago, and the manufacturing costs for large-displacement engines are even more outrageous. Additionally, tariff impacts have severely compressed profit margins for imported Land Cruisers. Toyota's Texas factory is transitioning to produce new energy vehicles, and production line modifications must also consider cost-effectiveness. The discontinuation is a business decision, but it's truly a regret for hardcore off-road enthusiasts.

[Carvalho]

My friend just came back from the auto show complaining about the Land Cruiser being discontinued. After checking some information, I found it's due to market segmentation. Toyota has now redefined the off-road market: the compact segment has the RAV4 Off-Road version, the midsize and large segment has the 4WD Highlander and Sequoia, while the luxury line is handed to the Lexus LX. The Land Cruiser is in an awkward position—it can't match the LX in luxury, nor can it compete with the Sequoia in practicality for cargo space. Moreover, younger off-road enthusiasts nowadays prefer modified Jeep Wranglers or Ford Broncos, while the Land Cruiser's user base is mainly concentrated among those aged 45 and above. Toyota likely adjusted its strategy after recognizing this trend. Rumor has it that they will launch a new platform-based mild hybrid off-roader in the future, which may redefine the game for hardcore off-roading.