I must say that when I first saw the FJ, it seemed to be a product that was
uniquely aimed at the US market. Unlike camera companies, most Japanese car
manufacturers have US research and design offices, usually in the LA
vicinity where the car culture thrives. This allows them to point their
products to one of their largest markets. I believe that it was P T Barnum
that said, "no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the US
consumer."
If aimed at the US market, it would have been developed with a petrol only
engine, as diesel fuel is more expensive than unleaded premium in most parts
of the US. Many countries where most cars are largely diesel have
governments that wisely saw to drive the business to diesel through tax
policies. Therefore, it won't get a big market elsewhere. You probably don't
get many Hummers there, either.
Bill Pearce
-----Original Message-----
From: George Shihanian
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 11:24 AM
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [OM] (OT) Toyota FJ (and first impressions)
I have been away on a vacation and wanted to answer previously but have
limited Internet use and free time in general...
My friends at Toyota had told me that the FJ was indeed headed to dealers in
NZ. I initially thought this strange since last year they told me that
Toyota was going to discontinue
it (at least in the US market) due to high gas prices and declining sales.
And now this year, with gas prices 50% higher than last year it's still here
but hard to find. Methinks they reduced what's coming to the US to send
elsewhere. Rumors of it's demise were apparently premature.
It's not like the gas consumption should be a surprise- the info is right on
the window sticker. I wish it was better but knew full well what I'd be
getting.
The said poor visibility was only obvious to me in the first couple of days
of ownership, after that, you learn how to deal with it with no problems.
I do take issue with the claim of poor comfort. It is very comfortable to
me.
It's off-road capabilities are well documented and second to none. Even with
all that capability it is extremely comfortable on the highway.
-- George
=============================
Brian wrote:
>
> It seems I was not up with the play.
>
> Toyota NZ have decided to start selling the FJ here, in competition with
> about 30 other make/model combinations ranging from Suzuki to am
> outlandishly large and competent Audi.
> Here's a small selection of what I dredged up from Google NZ ....
--
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