Toyota TJ Cruiser’s Fate Decided By Consumers

12902 Views 24 Replies 8 Participants Last post by bicepeak, Mar 8, 2019

TJ Cruiser News

Discussion Starter · Oct 24, 2017

This won’t be the first model they’ll launch based public reaction to a concept model. The Japanese automotive giant has launched the Lexus LC500 because of just how many fans its concept model garnered. Now, the Toyota TJ Cruiser’s future will be decided by the car-buying public.

Speaking with Autocar, design chief Hirokazu Ikuma has confirmed Toyota’s plan to gauge the reaction of potential customers globally before deciding on their next course of action. Perhaps some data will be gathered at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, which is open to the public from this coming Saturday to the 5th of November.

If consumer reaction to the TJ Cruiser concept is positive, then the model may go into production and likely sit on Toyota’s TGNA modular vehicle platform. Though engine specs remain hidden aside from a rumored hybrid powertrain, we do know a production TJ Cruiser is likely going to feature a rugged interior and exterior. After all, the TJ does stands for ‘Toolbox Joy’.

Maybe we’ll hear more from Toyota at the Tokyo Motor Show when its doors open early for press day. After that, the concept will be appearing at each one of the several customer clinics opening around the world.

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ToyoForLife

· #2 · Oct 25, 2017

How are the people chose for customer clinics? Are the going to be people who already own a FJ Cruiser or just young people on the street? Depending on the group, the results could be biased.
I'm hoping the answer from Toyota is a resounding yes. After that, we won't have long to wait for a production model since the concept was designed to be feasible.

Reactions: 1

bicepeak

· #3 · Oct 25, 2017

ToyoForLife said:
How are the people chose for customer clinics? Are the going to be people who already own a FJ Cruiser or just young people on the street? Depending on the group, the results could be biased.
I'm hoping the answer from Toyota is a resounding yes. After that, we won't have long to wait for a production model since the concept was designed to be feasible.

I doubt they would just ask FJ owners. The idea is to build a product that is profitable. They didn't discontinue the FJ because it was not a great vehicle, it is just not profitable at the price they sold it and it wasn't selling in adequate numbers.

I am guessing they will be asking a great range of people to get an accurate view of demand. I believe it has has appeal for all ages,

HeliDriver

· #4 · Oct 26, 2017

ToyoForLife said:
How are the people chose for customer clinics? Are the going to be people who already own a FJ Cruiser or just young people on the street? Depending on the group, the results could be biased.
I'm hoping the answer from Toyota is a resounding yes. After that, we won't have long to wait for a production model since the concept was designed to be feasible.

More than likely won't be FJ owners as this is in no way shape or form a replacement for the FJ.

Neat little micro van though!!

.

Backup

· #5 · Nov 4, 2017

I volunteer as tribute! I mean interest group!
Most of the time don't they send out emails to current Toyota owners? Would make more sense to go for FJ Cruiser owners, but maybe they want to see if it'll draw in people from other brands too.

And this is why I'm not in marketing.

ToyoForLife

· #6 · Dec 13, 2017

Think they'll have and interest group for the new FT-AC as well? Or will they leave that as a concept.

ToyoForLife

· #7 · Jan 3, 2018

Some news from autoguide about the customer feedback groups and it seems to be good news.

He brought up the brand’s popular FJ Cruiser, which debuted in concept form more than 10 years ago. “Customer feedback was so strong, what did we do? Got the product out in about two years that looked almost identical to the product we brought out on stage,” said Hollis. “I would put FT-AC in a similar boat.”

Reactions: 1

bicepeak

· #8 · Jan 3, 2018

ToyoForLife said:
Some news from autoguide about the customer feedback groups and it seems to be good news.

Thanks for posting this. I would like to hear this about the TJ Cruiser too, but so far nothing. :sad:

The TJ is what I really want.

Backup

· #9 · Jan 4, 2018

To each their own I suppose, I'd prefer it if the FT-AC concept actually went into production as it seems to be more in line with what the FH+J Cruiser was, even though it won't be as rugged or prefer as well off-road.

bicepeak

· #10 · Jan 4, 2018

Backup said:
To each their own I suppose, I'd prefer it if the FT-AC concept actually went into production as it seems to be more in line with what the FH+J Cruiser was, even though it won't be as rugged or prefer as well off-road.

We may get lucky and get both.

The earlier comment about the $20,000 price tag gives me hope because the FT-AC will most certainly not go for that price. We don't have any specs on it's size, but observers say it looked bigger than a RAV-4 so it has to be out of my price range.
Despite Hollis' remarks, I think it is possible that FT-AC is more about design direction than an actual new model. I think it may be the redesigned RAV-4. That may be what Hollis meant about 2 years to production.

NY-TJ

· #11 · Jan 5, 2018

bice has a point because if you compare Toyota's CUV/Crossover/SUV line up to what is happening elsewhere in the auto world, its easy to see they need fresh products that better reflect what younger buyers want. These will help change that. CH-R was a great example.

Backup

· #12 · Jan 5, 2018

I sat in the C-HR and as nice as the front was, the rear just felt claustrophobic because of how large the C-pillars are. At least the overall design looks more exciting than usual. Not a fan of the current Rav4's looks from the front.
The Cruiser concepts are definitely going to be toned down if they do go into production, but it can't be any worse than the Rav4.

bicepeak

· #13 · Jan 5, 2018

Backup said:
I sat in the C-HR and as nice as the front was, the rear just felt claustrophobic because of how large the C-pillars are. At least the overall design looks more exciting than usual. Not a fan of the current Rav4's looks from the front.
The Cruiser concepts are definitely going to be toned down if they do go into production, but it can't be any worse than the Rav4.

I watched the development of the CH-R concept from way back when it was supposed to be a Scion. I was very disappointed on it's lack of utility which made me purchase a 2015 RAV4 which has been a great car for me. I love the spaciousness it has because I suffer from claustrophobia.

NY-TJ

· #14 · Jan 8, 2018

bicepeak said:
I watched the development of the CH-R concept from way back when it was supposed to be a Scion. I was very disappointed on it's lack of utility which made me purchase a 2015 RAV4 which has been a great car for me. I love the spaciousness it has because I suffer from claustrophobia.

Tell me about it but at the same time i have grown a slight liking to it. Ultimately though a "baby FJ Cruiser" is what i'm after. It will kill me if Toyota doesn't deliver and even worse for them it will be missed opportunity. It will be like the Renegade.. but reliable

Reactions: 1

bicepeak

· #15 · Jan 8, 2018 (Edited)

Backup said:
I sat in the C-HR and as nice as the front was, the rear just felt claustrophobic because of how large the C-pillars are. At least the overall design looks more exciting than usual. Not a fan of the current Rav4's looks from the front.
The Cruiser concepts are definitely going to be toned down if they do go into production, but it can't be any worse than the Rav4.

When I first saw pictures of the new front of the RAV4 in 2016 , I did not like it all, which is another reason why I bought a 2015.

Now that I have seen so many in public, I like it now. What I don't like is the blockish wheelbase ground effects that don't fit the rest of the flowing body.

I am also grateful that Toyota is not following Honda's lead and sticking those horrendous chunks of plastic chrome to their grills. Makes them look cheap and tacky. Sad because the Accord body is really beautiful otherwise.

NY-TJ

· #16 · Jan 9, 2018

I love how Toyota still managed to work in the spindle grille design into the new Rav4. It was done in a very subtle way that some may not notice but with enough analysis of the design, very soon it becomes clear the DNA is present. Hopefully as they keep refreshing the design it takes on more of what we see in the new Camry.

DeBrumbaugh

· #17 · Feb 23, 2019

I'm not sure how they will make this decision. I think all manufactures that get into this type of vehicle are probably focusing on how the toaster car battles turned out. In the end, the Soul won out even though it was gutless and didn't have much to offer except what I guess is some sort of millennial viewed cool. I hope Toyota moves the TJ Cruiser to production and has better luck than all makes of of Toaster cars that failed.

Element Owner
Don

bicepeak

· #18 · Feb 24, 2019

DeBrumbaugh said:
I'm not sure how they will make this decision. I think all manufactures that get into this type of vehicle are probably focusing on how the toaster car battles turned out. In the end, the Soul won out even though it was gutless and didn't have much to offer except what I guess is some sort of millennial viewed cool. I hope Toyota moves the TJ Cruiser to production and has better luck than all makes of of Toaster cars that failed.

Element Owner
Don

The 2020 Soul looks promising. It should be bigger inside now. I will check it out when it comes to the dealers.

tjchris

· #19 · Feb 24, 2019

https://autos.yahoo.com.tw/news/開發代號-740b-toyota-tj-cruiser-030054709.html

Google translated the first paragraph:

"At the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota once demonstrated a TJ Cruiser's new crossover concept car, combined with the MPV's large space and SUV's strong off-road capability, the concept is like the Delica D:5 currently on the market. Although there is no news of this car after two years, the Japanese media has recently exposed a 740B project, which revealed that the TJ Cruiser will be mass-produced in 2021 and become another product of the Toyota C-Segment SUV. Work side by side with the C-HR."

2021 is too long for me. Any chance to get a new 2018 Rav4 inexpensively anywhere? I am in Northern CA.

bicepeak

· #20 · Feb 25, 2019

tjchris said:
https://autos.yahoo.com.tw/news/開發代號-740b-toyota-tj-cruiser-030054709.html

Google translated the first paragraph:

"At the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota once demonstrated a TJ Cruiser's new crossover concept car, combined with the MPV's large space and SUV's strong off-road capability, the concept is like the Delica D:5 currently on the market. Although there is no news of this car after two years, the Japanese media has recently exposed a 740B project, which revealed that the TJ Cruiser will be mass-produced in 2021 and become another product of the Toyota C-Segment SUV. Work side by side with the C-HR."

2021 is too long for me. Any chance to get a new 2018 Rav4 inexpensively anywhere? I am in Northern CA.

I am having a problem taking this article seriously. The 740B is a Caterpillar articulated truck model, not related to Toyota.

Try cargurus.com for a price on a Toyota RAV4.

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