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Toyota will take the next 3-5 years to fully recover the cost of this latest refresh
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This is global product for Toyota. Toyota sell twice as many 200 series than America sells Sequioa. The cost of the 200 series to the USA is almost minimal for marketing and engineering as there is no production costs from LC in America. The only cost is that of shipping. I have not seen any USA marketing.
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Toyota has many models that are succesul overseas that don't meet the needs of US consumers (Hi-Ace for example which is probably the single most popular minivan on the planet but I would guess most of you reading this forum from NA have never heard of it
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Its a big unfair using the hi ace as a comparison to the Landcruiser as the Hiace has never been sold in NA (as far as I know) whereas the Landcruiser is in it's 7th USA generation.
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It will be quite easy to upscale the Sequoia interior materials, finish and accessories to have a vehicle far superior to the 15+ yr old platform of the LC.
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The only Lexus that I know of that is not made in Japan is the Rx350 which is partly made in Canada. The Sequioa is made in Indiana which is USA which does not even make a Lexus. Furthermore the 5.7 iforce used in the 200 series is actually made in Japan and not Alabama as I previously thought.
Heatwave. Toyota won't use USA souce 5.7 or 4.7 iForce engines for the 200 series. I don't they will move the Lexus to the USA production line. With that being said. I think the Lexus would benefit more than the Landcruiser if it were bigger but that would just eat into Sequioa platinum sales.
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15+ yr old platform of the LC.
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The is not true. The 200 series is a completely new frame, chassis, rear axle, interior, sourced parts and technology. Toyota is on record as saying that the 200 series has the strongest frame out of all Toyota trucks and Suvs. Also, the 100 series used an off set rear axle as the 200 series using the same rear ratio and axle as the Sequioa.
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They've made absolutely no new investment whatsoever in either the LC or the LX.
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Not true. Toyota introduced the new 4.5 diesel engine that make 10.4 litres/100 km combined, a new Torsen transfer case, 10 airbags, four zone climate (no other car has 4 zone as far as I know), pre crash sysyem and 5.7 iForce built in Japan.
The Toyota 200 series also sets the benchmark out of all Toyota SUVs for most air bags, hi/lo ABS, pre crash, A,B,C crumple zones compared to other SUVs.