Latest on the Toyota.ca website.
"MAKE THINGS BETTER: WHY A MADE-FOR-CANADA TOYOTA IS MORE THAN JUST A GREAT VEHICLEToyota may be one of the largest automakers in the world, but we achieved this success one customer at a time. That's why when you purchase or lease a made-for-Canada Toyota car or truck you get more than a great vehicle. You also enjoy the services and support that only Toyota Canada and your Toyota Dealer can provide, to make your ownership experience the best that it can be.
There are many advantages in purchasing or leasing a made-for-Canada Toyota from an authorized Toyota Dealer. Here are a few.
Canadian vehicle specifications
When Toyota Canada considers equipment on Toyota vehicles for the Canadian market, we select certain options and features, on a model-by-model basis, that we believe are best suited for Canada's challenging climatic and driving conditions. These may differ from equipment and options selected for vehicles distributed and sold in the U.S. market.
Customers might believe that the only real difference between Canadian and US vehicles relates to vehicle gauges (which are metric in Canada and imperial in the United States). Depending on model, however, made-for-Canada Toyota vehicles may include any of the following features:
- Heavy-duty heaters, batteries, alternators, and starters;
- High capacity window washer fluid reservoirs;
- More robust weather stripping and seals;
- Added paint chip protection;
- Mudguards;
- All-season tires;
- An outside temperature gauge;
- Heated mirrors;
- Towing packages.
A streamlined purchasing or leasing process
Only Made-for-Canada Toyota vehicles are eligible for new vehicle promotions, programs, and incentives offered by Toyota Financial Services in Canada, including:
- Financing and leasing programs;
- Lease Renewal;
- Multiple Security Deposits.
In addition, only Made-for-Canada Toyota vehicles may qualify for other financial incentives or programs offered by Toyota Canada, including:
- The Toyota Canada Graduate Program;
- Toyota Canada Fleet Elite Incentives.
Tax/government considerations
Only Made-for-Canada Toyota vehicles may be eligible for certain incentives provided by the Canadian federal and/or certain provincial governments. These include:
- The federal eco-Auto rebate for fuel efficient vehicles;
- Provincial sales tax breaks and rebates for hybrid vehicles and other fuel efficient vehicles.
Vehicles purchased in the United States may not qualify for the above-mentioned "green" incentives AND the purchaser of a US vehicle may still be required to pay the following, in addition to any state taxes or charges imposed on the US purchase:
- Excise tax on fuel inefficient vehicles;
- GST and provincial sales tax;
- Import duties;
- Any costs to modify or retrofit a U.S. vehicle to ensure it complies with Canadian regulations, including, for instance, the installation of daytime running lights; and the installation of an enhanced vehicle immobilization system.
Peace of mind benefits
Purchasing or leasing a made-for-Canada Toyota vehicle includes peace of mind:
- Toyota Canada Inc. provides vehicle owners with Toyota Roadside Assistance (24-hour, every day of the year) for three years.
Warranty/servicing benefits
Canadian Toyota Dealers will honour the new vehicle warranty as provided on vehicles sold in the U.S.A. However, made-for-Canada Toyota vehicles may enjoy certain warranty and servicing benefits not
necessarily available in the US. These include:
- Special warranty policy adjustments and extensions from Toyota Canada Inc. that are specific to made-for-Canada vehicles and which may include no-cost or reduced-cost replacements of components to ensure owner satisfaction;
- A streamlined warranty process: When a Canadian Dealer works on a vehicle covered by a U.S. warranty, it may take longer to confirm coverage, secure approvals and process the repairs;
- Access to Replacement Part and Components: Toyota Canada only stocks replacement parts and components for Canadian-specified vehicles so that repairs can be completed in a timely manner. Toyota vehicles distributed in the U.S. may have equipment or components unique to the US market which may require additional lead time to secure replacement parts resulting in additional time to carry out any necessary repairs or servicing;
- Toyota Canada Inc. offers optional extended coverage for servicing and repairs. This coverage cannot be purchased for vehicles sold in the United States;
- Special Service Campaigns: Owners of Toyota vehicles purchased in the United States may not receive timely notification of safety-related service campaigns. In addition, where a safety recall is specific to a US vehicle, a Canadian dealer may not be able to carry out any necessary repairs quickly if replacement parts are not readily available in Canada. Securing replacement parts from US sources may require additional lead time resulting in delays in carrying out any necessary repairs or servicing.
A trusted relationship
Buying or leasing a made-for-Canada Toyota establishes a trusted relationship that will last throughout the ownership cycle:
- Customers gain access to Canadian Toyota Dealers' expertise on made-for-Canada vehicle specifications;
- Customers benefit from Canadian Toyota Dealers' knowledge of Canadian support and service programs;
- Customers are automatically enrolled in Club Toyota for online tracking of a vehicle's service history, customer financial information and warranty information."
Still not sure if this will justify the difference for most, but there is at least some value there.
(Quoted from
TOYOTA CANADA : TOYOTA.CA)