Next Toyota LandCruiser ‘a whole lot better’
Toyota chief promises the incoming 300 Series will evolve and improveThe all-new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series will be a better vehicle than the current 200 Series.
That’s the promise from Toyota Australia even as the LandCruiser 200 Series hits new sales peaks during its run-out ahead of the 2021 introduction of the new-generation 4x4 wagon.
There’s been much speculation about what the LC300 will and won’t bring with it.
More tech, higher prices, smaller V6 and even four-cylinder engines, and the abandonment of the V8 turbo-diesel engine are all on the cards.
A GR version of the new Toyota LandCruiser to take on the Nissan Patrol Warrior has also been speculated.
Toyota Australia isn’t giving any specifics away, but sales and marketing chief Sean Hanley was today emphatic about what the new 300 Series would deliver overall to loyal buyers when it arrives.
“Whatever we do with LandCruiser it will not be any less capable than what they have had in the past,” Hanley promised in an interview with carsales.
“In fact, if anything it will be a whole lot better.
“I think people will understand that. Every LandCruiser we have brought out has always been better than the previous one.
“I have no doubt that will continue.”
The LandCruiser has been part of the Australian Toyota line-up since the 1950s and now dominates the full-size SUV segment. The current 200 Series has been on sale since 2007.
“LandCruiser is a deeply important brand in the Australian market. It has a legendary following, it has a loyal following,” said Hanley.
Toyota LandCruiser sales were slightly up (0.2 per cent) year-on-year in 2020 despite the COVID-driven slump in the market. A focus on domestic tourism because of closed borders is helping drive 200 Series LandCruiser popularity, Toyota says.
Hanley played down the suggestion buyers were opting for 200 Series now rather than wait for the unknown the 300 Series represents.
“We have no announcements in relation to new models and what they do or don’t have,” he said.
“But what I will stress to consumers who are watching this area closely is that LandCruiser will continue to be and continue to represent everything important to LandCruiser.”
Hanley said neither Toyota nor its dealers had any formal data as yet on interest in the 300 Series.
“We are not seeing any enquiry on the new model because we have not provided any official information on it,” he said.
“We get verbatim comments but not an official number.
“Dealers are like us, they are excited about the current sales rate of LandCruiser and they are excited what’s happening in the market right now.
“They are excited about the loyalty to LandCruiser and trying to look after the demand. That is their focus right now.”
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