Toyota to pull plug on FJ Cruiser
The vehicle was lauded for its styling and off-road capability but critics claimed it to be somewhat impractical and heavy on fuel.
OWING to poor sales of the retro styled FJ Cruiser, Toyota will halt production of the SUV in August.
In SA the FJ Cruiser took off with a roar when it was launched here in 2011, but lately sales have slowed down to a trickle with a mere seven units reported sold in April.
Based on a shortened version of the Land Cruiser Prado platform, the FJ Cruiser was first seen in concept form in 2003 and rolled out in production form in 2005.
The vehicle was lauded for its styling and off-road capability but critics claimed it to be somewhat impractical and heavy on fuel.
Its set of rear doors which opened to the front had been labelled ‘suicide doors’.
Under the bonnet its 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine has proven to have loads of power but at 14.0-litres to 100km on a combined cycle, the FJ Cruiser asks for frequent visits to the pumps.
Toyota Australia’s Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, Tony Cramb, had this to say about the decision to pull the plug on the vehicle:
‘The FJ rides into the sunset as a vehicle renowned for its ability to traverse rugged outback trails while offering plenty of utility for all types of activities and being equally well-suited for everyday driving.
‘It will leave lasting memories as one of the most iconic vehicles in Toyota’s rich SUV history, helping to bring renewed energy to the Toyota brand.’
