FJ 1 and done, New 4runner in 2010

[Ryanmb21]

Not sure if this is old news, but interesting none the less:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10015459-48.html

from the story:
"FJ Cruiser: The swooning body-on-frame SUV segment means there isn't room for the FJ and the 4Runner, so the FJ is one-and-done.

4Runner: The 4Runner will be re-engineered and restyled for the 2010 model year; lower sales volume is expected. The new 4Runner will be shown next year at the Chicago or New York auto show. "

do you guys think it's true?

[riverguide]

Wow this would be shocking. Not sure if it's true or not. Anybody got info?

[Rallyroo]

from the story:
"[I]FJ Cruiser: The swooning body-on-frame SUV segment means there isn't room for the FJ and the 4Runner, so the FJ is one-and-done.

do you guys think it's true?

I say no way. Toyota spent so much time and effort on the FJ that it can't be ditched.

But yes, I can see Toyota needing to get rid of a suv/truck to reduce the number of models in their lineup.

[ChuckB]

I find it hard to believe they are going to get rid of the FJC.

[Overland Hadley]

I find it a little hard to believe all the information in that article.

Does anybody know if Toyota would let that kind of info out (what they are planning on doing for the year 2013)?

I could see the FJC being a one generation vehicle, but I think it will be around for a few more years.

[Overland Hadley]

From Automotive News (source of the C Net article)

Toyota's U.S. sales chief said today that he's confident the U.S. pickup truck market will rebound and continue to make up a large part of total sales.

Robert Carter, general manager of Toyota Division at Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

[mountainpete]

First thought: What the heck does CNET really know about vehicles other then how many watts RMS each amp has...

Second: What countries is the FJ Cruiser selling in? I might be mistaken, but isn't it only marketed to the USA and Canada? Why would you buy a FJC when you can get a 70 series?

The market is getting smaller. I could see it disappear. Kill the FJC, Highlander and 4Runner and adopt the UK model. A single LC with loads of options.

[jatibb]

fj is indeed a nice and well built truck but i think toyota totally blew it in the looks dept. looks like a vw bug on steroids. singlehandily won the "ugliest tailights of all time" award. like i said, well built and widely wanted, 4 runners have turned into mall queens in the last few years. gas prices will affect sales on both but. i believe toyota should retool the fj more towards the outdoorsy set, discontinue the 4runner. rav 4 and highlander sales are and will continue to be better and sizewize a highlander seems to have more room than a 4runner anyway. these are my opinions and we all know what people say about opinions. and these are coming from an x toyota employee that used to desire a 4runner over a land cruiser (1989-1994)

[Sojourn]

I work in a sales/marketing function for a major North American parts supplier to Toyota. The future model information that CNET has listed is readily available from several industry forecasting services such as Global Insight (the information is generally very accurate). It is well known that Toyota is reconsidering their complete line up in North America as a result of the recent unprecedented drop in their SUV/truck sales. It would not be surprising for Toyota to drop the FJ after a single generation. The platform is shared with their Landcruiser Prado (that's how they were able to bring it to market so quickly after the FJ concept unveiling at the Detroit Auto show in 2003) and many parts and components with the 4 Runner and Tacoma, so there were no huge development costs. Industry insiders have the FJ going away... I agree.

[Overland Hadley]

I work in a sales/marketing function for a major North American parts supplier to Toyota. The future model information that CNET has listed is readily available from several industry forecasting services such as Global Insight (the information is generally very accurate). It is well known that Toyota is reconsidering their complete line up in North America as a result of the recent unprecedented drop in their SUV/truck sales. It would not be surprising for Toyota to drop the FJ after a single generation. The platform is shared with their Landcruiser Prado (that's how they were able to bring it to market so quickly after the FJ concept unveiling at the Detroit Auto show in 2003) and many parts and components with the 4 Runner and Tacoma, so there were no huge development costs. Industry insiders have the FJ going away... I agree.

Thanks for the info.

[Sojourn]

I should have mentioned that the A-BAT will be built in North America for the NA market, it will launch in 2012

http://trucks.about.com/od/conceptcars/ig/Toyota-A-BAT-Hybrid-Truck/index.htm

[mcm4090]

I have always hoped that Toyota would make the FJ SUT.

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Toyota/Toyota_FJ_Cruiser_SoftTop_DV-07_Chicago_02.jpg

I guess it will never happen.

[Overland Hadley]

I should have mentioned that the A-BAT will be built in North America for the NA market, it will launch in 2012

http://trucks.about.com/od/conceptcars/ig/Toyota-A-BAT-Hybrid-Truck/index.htm

Is it a car or a truck? It's an A-BAT!

http://z.about.com/d/trucks/1/7/Y/3/1/08_ABAT_Concept.jpg

[ttora4runner]

I'd say Toyota needs to ditch either the highlander or rav 4 and the Sequoia. Keep the Landcruiser, 4runner and one of thee above. Offer more options on the remaining models to make up the differene.

[4307]

I hope Toyota seriously reconsiders scrapping the A-Bat thingy. In my eye its Fugly. To bad Toyota feels they have to develop trucks for the North American market, they could really streamline by simply supplying us with the international platforms that meet North American spec. I think we could all agree on that.

Can you picture a A-Bat ute? Whip out the plasma cutter and box full of consumables.

[UofRichmondRover]

Work on the styling, visibility, and make a 4-door FJC that would cover the 4Runner market. Diesel too. Or just sell the 70 series here:xxrotflma

[Life_in_4Lo]

Tundra
Sequoia
4Runner
FJ Cruiser
all have major sales slumps

All Lexus models except the LX570 dropped sharply

The FJ Cruiser is a relatively low volume vehicle. They would drop it rather than the 4Runner, which enjoys a very strong brand name and sales history.

The RAV4 and Highlander are strong sellers for Toyota. They would kill the Tundra, Sequoia, FJ Cruiser before they killed any of their strong selling street suv's.

The A-BAT was a reaction to the strong sales of the Honda Ridgeline. Now that the Ridgeline sales are dead, I doubt they will bring the A-BAT unless it is too late in development.

I also worry that the 4Runner will be killed off in that they may make it IRS soccer mom, pseudo-highlander. In which case, this generation would be the last of the affordable, premium offroad suv's.

The "Trail Edition" 4Runner w/ elocker in a SR5 pkg seems to hint they are adding offroad features to the 4Runner... possibly b/c they plan to kill the FJC?....

[Martinjmpr]

The FJC was one of those vehicles that gets an A for effort and a C- for execution. The fact that (AFAIK) it was made solely for the US market means it was never intended as anything other than a fashion piece, trying to cash in on the nostalgia market (a la the Chevy HHR, PT Cruiser, New Thunderbird, Chrysler 300, etc.)

Outside the US where Toyotas are working vehicles, the Prado and other LC series vehicles continue to sell very well, and honestly theres no reason for Toyota to sell 3 Prado-chassis vehicles in the US (Lexus GX470, which is just a US-market Prado, 4Runner and FJC.)

[DaveInDenver]

I dunno if the worldwide sales of Prados and Cruisers is down (maybe the pimped ones in Australia would be dinked, just like here), but I think it would be cool if instead of the FJC, Toyota would have offered 4Runners with a few different basic options. It would be enough just to have a 4Runner with a manual transmission option, the SR5 level is pretty basic. In a pipe dream we'd just get a full range of 120 trucks, like the 3-door versions (which the FJC is based on I presume). Offering a 4Runner with a 6 speed and a locker would be a nice option anyway, forgetting for the moment that a D4D would be sweet.

BTW, Martin, the Tacoma is also build on the 120-series platform.

[Rallyroo]

Toyota did kill the Voodoo Blue color which is the start of bad things to come. I don't get it though since when I go to the toyota.com website the FJC is in Voodoo Blue. :confused: But when I check specs, voodoo blue is no longer an option.

[Martinjmpr]

BTW, Martin, the Tacoma is also build on the 120-series platform.

Well, it's a quibble I suppose. ;) After all pickup =/= SUV. My point was simply that offering 3 SUVs in similar classes just doesn't seem very smart from a business viewpoint because there are costs associated with maintaining multiple platforms, yet they essentially cannibalize sales from each other.

But then again, I couldn't understand why Toyota offers both the Sequoia and the LC series both as $50k+ luxo SUVs, or why they offered the newly stretched RAV4 and the Highlander since, again, they seem to be aimed at the same market.

[Best4x4xfar]

I hope Toyota seriously reconsiders scrapping the A-Bat thingy. In my eye its Fugly. To bad Toyota feels they have to develop trucks for the North American market, they could really streamline by simply supplying us with the international platforms that meet North American spec. I think we could all agree on that.

Can you picture a A-Bat ute? Whip out the plasma cutter and box full of consumables.

+1 on the fugly (but I think the Ridgline is fugly too). And while I , and I am sure most Expo members, would agree that bringing in the international truck platforms would be great, I think we are such a small minority of sales for Toyota that it would probably be a bad buisness decision, there just aren't enough of us to keep Toyota profitable...

[Rallyroo]

Just think, for Halloween you can dress up the A-Bat by adding wings and a tail and you'll get yourself a Bat Ray. /sarcasm

http://www.liquidsafari.com/Images/BatRay_A.jpg

[haven]

Autoblog is jumping on the "bye-bye FJ Cruiser" bandwagon. They cite the same Automotive News report that says the FJC won't receive any further design attention, and will be allowed to fade away in a couple of years.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/15/toyota-supra-is-doa-fj-cruiser-wont-be-refreshed-more-hybrids/

Sales numbers on the FJC Wikipedia page show a steep dropoff this year. If sales numbers stay low but steady, the FJC could continue in production for quite a while, says I.

Chip Haven

[The BN Guy]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/15/toyota-supra-is-doa-fj-cruiser-wont-be-refreshed-more-hybrids/

Looks like Toyota is dropping the FJ Cruiser!


Also, there's only room for one body-on-frame SUV from the automaker, so the 4Runner will be re-engineered for the 2010 model year, will debut in either New York or Chicago, and the FJ Cruiser will complete its lifecycle and be dropped in the next few years.

Buy one while you still can!

[sinuhexavier]

The bright side is they will be instant classics, the Defender was only offered here in N.A. for a short number of years and look what it did to it's panache.

[Corey]

I am glad I have mine, best vehicle I have ever owned.
Great offroad as proven by many, and great in town and on the freeway.
They like to play in the woods and relax too.

http://www.pnw4runners.com/camping_trips/aug08/23.jpg

http://www.pnw4runners.com/camping_trips/aug08/33.jpg

http://www.pnw4runners.com/camping_trips/aug08/8.jpg

[mcm4090]

You may like or dislike the FJC but you must admit Toyota's marketing of the FJC made it an icon. If they are welling to drop the FJC expect others auto makers to fellow.

[Wanderlusty]

I doubt they drop it too quickly, I could see them making it for a few years longer, just I am guessing you will not ever see any changes, and eventually it will go.

[Bluto]

With the FJ Cruiser being possibly axed, does that settle that debate of it being a Land Cruiser? :hehe:

Ill definitely look at buying one of the last year of production units. They never really piqued my interest when they came out. But with all the aftermarket parts to make it the way you want - well I actually stop to look at a new TT model being shown in front of a Sams Club entrance today.

[Ramjet]

First thought: What the heck does CNET really know about vehicles other then how many watts RMS each amp has...

Second: What countries is the FJ Cruiser selling in? I might be mistaken, but isn't it only marketed to the USA and Canada? Why would you buy a FJC when you can get a 70 series?

The market is getting smaller. I could see it disappear. Kill the FJC, Highlander and 4Runner and adopt the UK model. A single LC with loads of options.

Actually the FJC is sold world wide. It is more countries than just USA and Canada. Sudan, Germany, Kuwait, just to name a few. It is sad if the choose to discontinue it.

[grouch]

This is when I wished I had a ton of money. I would buy and FJ and park it for twenty years or so.

[SinCityFJC]

There is even a big thread on the FJCruisers Forum were owners are emailing/calling & writing Toyota USA & Japan in a effort to save the FJ Cruiser

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/general-discussion/67315-p-r-e-v-e-n-t-i-n-g-t-h-e-f-j-d-i-s-c-o-n-t-i-n-u-t-i-o-n.html

[Cackalak Han]

The "Trail Edition" 4Runner w/ elocker in a SR5 pkg seems to hint they are adding offroad features to the 4Runner

That would be a major temptation. I liked the features on the FJC, but I could never have it as a practical vehicle. The suicide doors are just out of place, IMO. If it had 4 doors, it would sell a lot better. But then again, it would then be exactly like a 4Runner.

I have always been confused by Toyota. They made the Highlander, 4Runner and the FJC about the same size and gave them all V6's. Good for the consumer, because they have more choices, but why do you need 3 SUV's the are pretty much the same thing to 90% of the people buying them? Why not leave the Highlander smaller, like the 1st gen ones? Why not make the FJC more FJ40 like (with a removable top! Not a looks-like-it-will-come-off top)? Give each vehicle some distinctive characteristics. I feel like I'm looking at triplets. Confusing.

[mountainpete]

Actually the FJC is sold world wide. It is more countries than just USA and Canada. Sudan, Germany, Kuwait, just to name a few. It is sad if the choose to discontinue it.

Not sure about the Middle East countries, but there is no mention of the FJC on the Toyota Germany website plus I didn't see a single one in the UK, France, Italy or Austria last year (and I went by a dealership in each).

Pete

[Scott Brady]

+1 on the 4Runner SR5, w/ ELocker...

A more useful vehicle IMHO.

[EricGagne]

According to this.

http://www.fjccentral.com/tech/2009/Outline_New_Features.pdf

And this

http://www.fjccentral.com/tech/2009/New_Features_Detailed.pdf

We can expect new features and colors on the 2009 models. Would Toyota come out with new stuff next year if they really had plans on ditching it the year after ?

[Corey]

Well, I can not access the above site here at Boeing.

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Lets see how it pans out next year if there is a 2010 model or not.
We know for sure there is a 2009 one.

[Ramjet]

Most of the time when a manufacturer decides to discontinue a model they will wait a few years. Take for instance the Hummer. It has been discontinued but not until the year 2013. So who really knows.

[wagner_joe]

The new FJ-R will look like this I'm sure. Elocker, SR5, ATRAC, ETC...

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/30/sema-2007-adventures-in-grafting-toyota-fj-runner

[Martinjmpr]

The new FJ-R will look like this I'm sure. Elocker, SR5, ATRAC, ETC...

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/30/sema-2007-adventures-in-grafting-toyota-fj-runner

Wow, that's actually better looking than either the FJC or the new 4runner!

[4Rescue]

The new FJ-R will look like this I'm sure. Elocker, SR5, ATRAC, ETC...

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/30/sema-2007-adventures-in-grafting-toyota-fj-runner
HUBBA HUBBA!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a damn fine looking concept truck. I wonder how hard it would be to give it a removable top like a Gen1... Now THAT would be a sweet truck.

[Ryanmb21]

that thing is ugly! everybody is entitled to their own opinion but come on guys.....

it was made for an auto show last year. It's a one-off where they took the grill from an FJ and put it a 4runner.

*oh yeah, link explains that...should of read it....ouch my eyes!

[highlux]

I am hearing that the 2010 4runner will be dropping the V8 and keeping the V6. Also, a 4 cylinder model will be available (maybe just in Canada?). I wanna see how that setup drives.....cuz I love the Taco 4 cylinder. The off road package will be sweet too for the 4runner.

[FlexdXJ]

Welcome to the world of vehicles that shouldn't be killed. Yeah the FJ is ugly but it is capable i give it that(tha is a lot coming from an XJ guy). I am not a big fan of IFS on a trail vehicle but the FJ seems to pull it off no problem. They killed the Cherokee off and replaced it with the Liberty(cherokee in other countries but not the same without a Solid axle up front) , that was the single dumbest thing jeep has ever done. Killing the 4.0 after 06 sucked but i wouldn't mind if there was a diesel option on the new JK!