TOKYO — Toyota Motor Corp. might revive the venerable Land Cruiser nameplate within the U.S. as early as subsequent 12 months when it plans to introduce a redesign of the SUV’s little brother, the Land Cruiser Prado.
In bringing the rugged truck stateside, Toyota could merely drop Prado from the title and badge it a Land Cruiser. The automaker is contemplating the transfer within the U.S., an individual aware of the plan mentioned.
Globally, the Land Cruiser Prado is bought as a Toyota sibling to the premium Lexus GX midsize SUV. And in some European markets, the Prado is already marketed merely as a Land Cruiser.
The total-size Land Cruiser was discontinued within the U.S. after the 2021 mannequin 12 months. The redesigned Lexus LX remained because the automaker’s prime luxurious SUV, whereas the next-generation Toyota Sequoia took the Toyota’s model’s spot for big SUV when it migrated onto the automaker’s new world F1 platform for body-on-frame automobiles.
The GX, the Prado’s platform mate, is getting its first redesign in additional than a decade. The overhaul, anticipated to function a rugged, boxy exterior design, will debut Thursday.
The GX is anticipated to get a hybrid drivetrain choice, signaling a attainable route for the Prado.
In response to Japanese automotive buff website Clicccar, the Prado will share the identical F1 platform because the full-size Land Cruiser 300 collection, permitting it to develop slightly longer, wider and taller. And no less than for Japan, the Prado is anticipated to supply a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain.
The Land Cruiser, developed in Japan in 1951 as that market’s reply to the Willys Jeep, is Toyota’s longest-running mannequin line and linked to the model’s very first days within the U.S.
The Land Cruiser’s beginning value was usually larger than that of many opponents. Its U.S. gross sales ebbed and flowed over the many years as different rugged overlanders proliferated, and ultimately the Land Cruiser was even outsold by its LX sibling.
The U.S. market’s tilt to gentle vehicles over the previous decade has additionally prompted some automakers to revive revered truck manufacturers and nameplates, equivalent to Hummer (Basic Motors), Bronco (Ford) and Grand Wagoneer (Jeep). Volkswagen of America, aiming to seize a slice of America’s love for genuine, rugged vehicles, is reviving the Scout model as soon as owned by Worldwide Harvester.