Sayonara, Toyota FJ Cruiser
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night FJ
By Imthishan Giado
Update: We’ve received an official statement from the office of Toyota Middle East and North Africa:
“At the moment we do not have any plans to discontinue FJ Cruiser in the Middle East and will continue to sell it across the region.”
In other words – keep selling as long as there’s demand.
Have you ever had to do something that you didn’t really want to do? That’s how I feel about writing this story which sadly confirms I penned in August – the much-adored FJ Cruiser is no more.
A victim of changing tastes, increasing regulatory pressure on better fuel economy and poor sales – even in this region we hear – 2014 is the last year of Toyota’s popular lifestyle offroader. Built by truck subsidiary Hino Motors since 2006, the FJ is one of the most popular ‘true’ offroaders in the Gulf, beloved for its amazing agility, comfortable ride and ample V6 power – a great mix that meant it was comfortable on the road as off it. I ran one for two months and it proved a dependable companion – if hard to love.
Unfortunately, Toyota let it die on the vine. Since its 2006 launch (and arrival here in 2008) the FJ has barely received any updates while the car it is based on – the SWB Prado – has undergone a full model change. Arch rival Jeep Wrangler received not only a ground-up redesigned JK model but an additional four door version – not to mention a powerful new engine that beat the FJ for both power and fuel economy, as a well as a (relatively) luxurious interior. All the while, the FJ had to soldier on, with only the occasional LED upgrade to show for the passage of time.
To send off the FJ, Toyota is creating a special final version: the Trail Teams Ultimate Edition, shown at the SEMA Spectacular last week. Featuring Bilstein shocks, TRD springs, a quarter inch thick TRD skid plate, beadlock wheels, rock rails and a roof rack, it really is the ultimate version of the old girl, and who knows? Perhaps a few examples will make their way here.
We’ve had no official word from local dealer Al Futtaim Motors so it’s likely that the latter will continue to sell the car until there’s simply no demand left. I hope not.
Hardly a fitting end for a true offroad hero.
Cheer up Imthi.. the FJ is only dead for the US market… others such as the South African, Australian and the Gulf market will still be supplied with the FJ.. the latest updated FJ was actually displayed at the dubai motor show clad with a redesigned set of wheel rims, displayed right next to the latest Extreme edition of the FJ.
[Imthishan] Dealer ‘updates’ are no indication of future production – there’ve been no significant sheet metal or interior changes to the car since its release, which always boded ill for its future. I’m still waiting for an update from the local TMC office – let’s see what they say.
Indeed, no significant changes to the sheet metal nor to the interior, as it is a timeless design but those redesigned wheel rims on the FJ at the Dubai motor show are not a dealer update. They have in-fact been updated by the manufacturer itself. Have a look here: http://www.themotorreport.com.au/57421/2014-toyota-fj-cruiser-picks-up-new-colours-new-wheels
As long as these markets are doing well, the FJ cruiser will continue production.. 😉
[Imthishan] “As long as these markets are doing well…” I’ll leave it at that!
Hah… no doubt
The FJ is set to launch in the Korean market.. Haar Haar.. told yeah Imthi…
Fj’s production will continue, does that mean same model or are the going to introduce a new model.
I think they will be making the same car until the sales come to a stop and eventually discontinue the car. Please correct me if I’m wrong.