Compact Diesel trucks that we can't get here

[Scooby074]

Apologizes for the rant, but today I came across something in the paper that illustrates to me exactly what is wrong with auto makers offerings in North America. When you read this thread and others of late, there are many who want a simple work truck, preferably with diesel, at a reasonable (but not overly cheap) price. Like 95% of the world gets!

Look at whats offered on a typical dealers lot. Im talking any brand, Ford (King Ranch, Limited, Platinum etc. etc.) Dodge (Longhorn, Larimie), GM (Denali). On and on. Lots full of mall cruisers and "doctormobiles".How many "strippers" are there (Sorry Dave)? Most have everything but the kitchen sink!

So when I read this review (Go-anywhere luxury driving with Lexus) for the Canadian Toyota "Land Cruiser" (actually its sold here as a Lexus LX570) it really got ,my blood boiling. Look at my earlier post for the Aussie landcruiser. Bare bones interior, manual, diesel, mirrors that wont get knocked off by brush, radio, and not much else. Thats the vehicle I (and many others want!). That interior is almost exactly the same as my 95.5 Tacoma. Right down to the slider climate controls.

For a comparison, here's the Aussie LC Interior and Exterior:

And in the sake of fairness, since the Lexus is a SUV, the Aussie LC Wagon

Compare that to the Canadian Lexus "LC". I get that it is a Lexus, and as such is a Luxury, but the same thing basically applies to the US where the LC under the Toyota banner is still sold.

Exterior, note lots of breakable "stuff"

Interior. Way over the top! Ill post the features in a minute.

 

[Scooby074]

Ok, now to the Lexus features. Bare in mind, that I want a truck like the Aussie LC with not much other than a radio.

"With cameras located within the front grille and under the passenger outside mirror, I could check hard-to-view areas with the press of a button on the dashboard while looking at the camera images on the LCD touch screen."

"There were far too many features inside the LX 570 to mention in this space, but some of the more notable items included (as part of the $7,300 Ultra Premium Package): heated wood steering wheel; a magnificent Mark Levinson Reference surround sound audio system; two sets of wireless headphones; audio and DVD remote control; 19-speaker, 450-watt sound system; the dual seatback DVD entertainment system with seven-inch VGA screens; 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Speaker architecture; Pre-Collision System; Premium leather seat surfaces; dynamic radar cruise control; the Cool Box; and illuminated ‘Lexus’ scuff plates."

"standard items on the LX included: centre-console-mounted hand brake; the 14-way power driver’s seat; heated and ventilated front seats; heated second-row outboard seats; the rear backup camera; navigation system; Bluetooth; voice recognition; four-zone independent climate control; iPod and auxilliary inputs; steering wheel mounted phone and audio controls; smart key with push-button start; HomeLink; cruise control; leather and mahogany trim; power tilt and telescoping steering column; sunroof; roof rack; power-folding side-view mirrors; side step rails with lighting; an integrated Class-4 tow hitch, HID headlamps, fog lamps; Auto-dimming electro-chromic inside rear-view mirror; Rain-sensing, variable intermittent front windshield wipers with deicer; headlight washers; a three-prong electrical outlet, and much more."

"The LX’s Multi-terrain Select also allowed you to optimize performance by choosing from five types of terrain."

"Active Height Control: this system could lower the chassis by about two inches for easy entry"

I mean COME ON!! This is ridiculous and almost an embarrassment to the true Aussie LC. How many times will this rig EVER see anything other than tarmac? Never.

Now to the best part.

Base MSRP: $87,500
Price as tested: $99,201.25

GAHH..

 

[Scooby074]

I'm not surprised reading this 2012 Oz review, as I knew the 4motion was impressive.

Volkswagen Amarok Review | 2012 TDI420, Eight-speed Auto, Single-Cab Page 1 of 2 | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications

My money would probably still go into a stick truck, but that 8 spd Auto does sound impressive too.....

That Amorak would absolutely kill in the Canadian marketplace, and IMO, do at least OK in the US market. It would be perfect for long-haul towing a 5,000# boat or camper around, with truck payload on top of that, and still get decent fuel mileage.

Adding a brief 2013 review, as the tow rating was bumped up a bit....

More TDI Power and Towing Capacity for the Volkswagen Amarok 2013

Rgds, D.

Good review. Towing capacity of 6600lbs and a bed capacity of 2500lbs. If a person took a serious look at just how they use their current truck, those capacities should be more than adequate for 95% of users.

 

[3930dave]

I think there is tremendous pent up demand for what you are describing Jason.

The Lexi are marketed to the Bay Street crowd that live in Yorkville, Rosedale, Oakville..... most of their driving time is divided between going to the GO Train station, and trips to Starbucks and the mall. The most those "4wheelers" see of wilderness is the dirt road that leads to the remote control gated family compound in Muskoka. Many of these Lexi are leased, or otherwise turned over every 2 or 3 years. The initial buyer typically doesn't work them, nor hold onto them for long - so no concern about "bling breakage" - it's somebody elses problem.

People that use trucks for work, or are serious outdoors types, don't want all this stupid bling on trucks, regardless of how deep their pockets are.

The first low cost, but well proven, supplier that brings..... wait for it..... Jason's Stripper Truck (now designated as JST's) to the Canadian market with a compact turbo diesel is going to clean up. Simple Supply and Demand - the Demand is there, nada for Supply at the moment.

These JSTs are going to be snapped up by most commercial sectors, seasoned outdoor recreationalists, and anybody else who has the sense to see their value. With todays diesels, you are talking about a tow rating that not all that long ago required you to buy a 3/4 ton pickup.

This dearth of offerings here makes me laugh, anytime I hear talk of Free Trade.

We Want JST's ! We Want JST's ! We Want JST's ! roposetoast:roposetoast:roposetoast:

Rgds, D.

 

[Scooby074]

Toyota Landcruiser, JST Edition. I like it!:thumbsup:

 

[Scooby074]

I guess what im getting at is why doesnt Toyota offer the old school LC? It would be a hit. Id buy one in a second. Sell the full load mallcruiser in the Lexus dealers, but offer the basic work truck at Toyota. So frustrating.

Do they think we're all a bunch of bankers here who never "work"? Why do the Aussies get the JST? I mean, at one time Toyota DID offer JST's here. What changed? No doubt the current full load mall cruisers help Toyota's bottom line, but that can't be the only reason, can it? They offer the Hilux in OZ right along with the LC70 JST...:mur:

 

[Diamondpilot]

I guess what im getting at is why doesnt Toyota offer the old school LC? It would be a hit. Id buy one in a second. Sell the full load mallcruiser in the Lexus dealers, but offer the basic work truck at Toyota. So frustrating.

Do they think we're all a bunch of bankers here who never "work"? Why do the Aussies get the JST? I mean, at one time Toyota DID offer JST's here. What changed? No doubt the current full load mall cruisers help Toyota's bottom line, but that can't be the only reason, can it? They offer the Hilux in OZ right along with the LC70 JST...:mur:

Because there is more profit in the loaded truck than in 10 stripped versions.

And in reality the demand for a stripped down version is very small overall, I bet less than 5% The car companies know what they are doing.

Chris

 

[milkman]

Because there is more profit in the loaded truck than in 10 stripped versions.

And in reality the demand for a stripped down version is very small overall, I bet less than 5% The car companies know what's best for us.Chris

fixed it for ya.

 

[3930dave]

Because there is more profit in the loaded truck than in 10 stripped versions.

And in reality the demand for a stripped down version is very small overall, I bet less than 5% The car companies know what they are doing.

Chris

If the demand is tiny, then there is no significant impact (financially, or "environmentally") to allowing these global products being discussed in this thread into our markets.

Let's get on with it.

Rgds, D.

 

[dfkrug]

df - would you know if those center caps are just decorative, or by chance
would they be covering old school mechanical locking hubs ?

In the front, maybe. The rear, makes no sense to me. I sure do not know, Dave.

Tons of newer 4-door small (by USA standards) pickup trucks all over South America. Regular
pickups (2-door, 6-8' cargo beds) are extremely rare. I saw maybe 3 total Ford F150s on my
trip, and no GMs or Chrysler large PUs at all. Some marketers decided that buyers there
all wanted a do-everything vehicle, one that could carry a dirty cargo as well as 5 passengers.

Kinda like marketers in the US deciding that Americans don't want a regular small 4x4 pickup (2-doors,
standard cargo bed), and one with perhaps a 25-35 mpg diesel engine.