Lexus Owners Club (USA & Canada) > Land Curiser Prado Vs Gx470

nyc11370

Apr 3 2005, 05:02 PM

Some nice features offered in the Japan merket:

3D Birdeye View Navigation
user posted image

Arm-rest Beverages Cool Bbox
user posted image

Better Arm-rest
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Computer Guided Backup View
user posted image

Better Trip Computer
user posted image

All Weather Cargo/Trunk Plastic Mat
user posted image

Auto Folding Sideview Mirrors
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Parking Sensors
user posted image

1990LS400

Apr 3 2005, 05:44 PM

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is currently being manufactured in mainland China where, according to what I read last week, the average auto worker is paid the equivalent of 95 cents per hour versus $24/hour in the U.S. and $38/hour in Germany.

At labor rates like these, who knows how low prices can go.

Jim_Chow

Apr 4 2005, 10:12 AM

QUOTE(1990LS400 @ Apr 3 2005, 05:44 PM)

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is currently being manufactured in mainland China where, according to what I read last week, the average auto worker is paid the equivalent of 95 cents per hour versus $24/hour in the U.S. and $38/hour in Germany.

At labor rates like these, who knows how low prices can go.
[right][snapback]120797[/snapback][/right]

The Prado/ 4runner, Lexus GS & LS430 are built in the Tahara plant, which is the top ranked factory in the world, according to the Detroit Auto News. (BTW, the LS430=Celsior, GS=Arista, Windom=ES; new GS looks like the new Crown w/ the AWD; Crown has an aluminum underbody/hood, not sure if the GS does).

One big advantage of the GX over the Prado (in terms of power) is the 4.7L V8 [2UZ]. Prado comes w/ a 3.4V6 (same engine [5VZ] as in the prev. 4runner) as the largest engine, otherwise a I-4 gasoline (150hp) or 3.0L turbo diesel (pulls a little better than the V6, but 24mpg), all for better fuel economy.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/specialreport/...2/a15-70498.htm
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/about_toyota/manufacturing/

I think you're thinking of the Landcruiser that's being built in China for the local market. It's the Landcruiser 80, sold worldwide from '91-97 ('96-97 LX450). Araco (owned by Toyota) built (maybe still build) the real landcruisers in the past.

ADVocate

Apr 4 2005, 02:42 PM

QUOTE(nyc11370 @ Apr 3 2005, 05:02 PM)

Some nice features offered in the Japan merket:

3D Birdeye View Navigation

Arm-rest Beverages Cool Bbox

Better Arm-rest

Computer Guided Backup View

Better Trip Computer

All Weather Cargo/Trunk Plastic Mat

Auto Folding Sideview Mirrors

Parking Sensors
[right][snapback]120792[/snapback][/right]

I like some of the features more than in the GX. I have always thought the console storage was weak in the GX (and part of it is taken up with the DVD player). The Trip computer is more interesting, instead of the single clock and other function. The birds-eye view has been on the upper end Accura's and Infinity's. Toyota is just late to the game ...

nyc11370

Apr 4 2005, 05:06 PM

QUOTE(Jim_Chow @ Apr 4 2005, 10:12 AM)

QUOTE(1990LS400 @ Apr 3 2005, 05:44 PM)

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is currently being manufactured in mainland China where, according to what I read last week, the average auto worker is paid the equivalent of 95 cents per hour versus $24/hour in the U.S. and $38/hour in Germany.

At labor rates like these, who knows how low prices can go.
[right][snapback]120797[/snapback][/right]

The Prado/ 4runner, Lexus GS & LS430 are built in the Tahara plant, which is the top ranked factory in the world, according to the Detroit Auto News. (BTW, the LS430=Celsior, GS=Arista, Windom=ES; new GS looks like the new Crown w/ the AWD; Crown has an aluminum underbody/hood, not sure if the GS does).

One big advantage of the GX over the Prado (in terms of power) is the 4.7L V8 [2UZ]. Prado comes w/ a 3.4V6 (same engine [5VZ] as in the prev. 4runner) as the largest engine, otherwise a I-4 gasoline (150hp) or 3.0L turbo diesel (pulls a little better than the V6, but 24mpg), all for better fuel economy.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/specialreport/...2/a15-70498.htm
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/about_toyota/manufacturing/

I think you're thinking of the Landcruiser that's being built in China for the local market. It's the Landcruiser 80, sold worldwide from '91-97 ('96-97 LX450). Araco (owned by Toyota) built (maybe still build) the real landcruisers in the past.
[right][snapback]120907[/snapback][/right]

I think 1990LS400 is right. The China Toyota website listed two types of Prado:

- Import Series (Made in Japan)
user posted image

http://www.toyota.com.cn/carlineup/prado/car_pra_app_01.html
and
- Domestic Series (Made in China)
user posted image

http://www.toyota.com.cn/carlineup/prado_c...pra_app_01.html

Also Toyota doesn't sell LC80 in China anymore. They sell the same LandCruiser Series 100 V8 4700 as US and Japan.
http://www.toyota.com.cn/carlineup/landc_c...100_app_01.html
http://www.toyota.com.cn/carlineup/landc_c...100_spe_01.html

1990LS400

Apr 4 2005, 05:22 PM

Here is a press release regarding the manufacture of Prados in China: http://english1.people.com.cn/200205/16/en...0516_95820.shtm

Google "Toyota Prado China" and you will find lots more information.

Here is information on Toyota ADR's (kinda like common stock) which you can purchase from any stock broker: http://www.toyota.com/about/shareholder/

"Buy and hold."

nyc11370

Apr 4 2005, 06:51 PM

QUOTE(1990LS400 @ Apr 3 2005, 05:44 PM)

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is currently being manufactured in mainland China where, according to what I read last week, the average auto worker is paid the equivalent of 95 cents per hour versus $24/hour in the U.S. and $38/hour in Germany.

At labor rates like these, who knows how low prices can go.
[right][snapback]120797[/snapback][/right]

Cheaper Labour $$ in China doesn't necessarily mean less in quality. I don't think the Toyotas in China are less in quality compare to the Toyotas in the US. The keys are product design and QC - Quality Control

My previous car was Mercedes CLK430, made in Germany, expensive but too many problems. That car is not better because higher labour $$ in Germany.

Why the US made Toyota/Honda and etc. are more reliable than domestic cars in general. Not because the labour $$. It is because of the higher standard in QC.

I have a friend working in a car part factory in Toronto. He told me how sloppy the domestic car companies QC don't inspect the parts throughly. The Japanese car companies QC inspect the parts throughly and they will reject the whole lot even if they find 1 unit is fault.

denslexusgx470

Apr 4 2005, 07:59 PM

i see some people are amazed at the Prado! lol . That's great. I'm thinking of getting one if i relocate in the Philippines.

Jim_Chow

Apr 4 2005, 11:40 PM

I was under the impression you were implying the Prado's sold, say, in Australia were being built in China. I think the Chinese-made ones are for China only (there are a lot of people over there!) while the rest of the world gets the Japanese-made ones. I know the Interntional Spec LCs/Prado's sold through Toyota Gibralter Stockholdings (they provide vehicles for the UN) are made in Japan, as it says in the specs as country of origin. Anyways, we can rest assured that the GX's, 4runners, LC's and LX470s sold here are Japanese-made. When in doubt, just make sure the VIN starts w/ "JT".

ADVocate

Apr 5 2005, 01:19 PM

QUOTE(nyc11370 @ Apr 4 2005, 06:51 PM)

QUOTE(1990LS400 @ Apr 3 2005, 05:44 PM)

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is currently being manufactured in mainland China where, according to what I read last week, the average auto worker is paid the equivalent of 95 cents per hour versus $24/hour in the U.S. and $38/hour in Germany.

At labor rates like these, who knows how low prices can go.
[right][snapback]120797[/snapback][/right]

Cheaper Labour $$ in China doesn't necessarily mean less in quality. I don't think the Toyotas in China are less in quality compare to the Toyotas in the US. The keys are product design and QC - Quality Control

My previous car was Mercedes CLK430, made in Germany, expensive but too many problems. That car is not better because higher labour $$ in Germany.

Why the US made Toyota/Honda and etc. are more reliable than domestic cars in general. Not because the labour $$. It is because of the higher standard in QC.

I have a friend working in a car part factory in Toronto. He told me how sloppy the domestic car companies QC don't inspect the parts throughly. The Japanese car companies QC inspect the parts throughly and they will reject the whole lot even if they find 1 unit is fault.
[right][snapback]121005[/snapback][/right]

From what I understand, most of the frame and components are assembled by robots. Especially, on newer plants. So I think the amount of human labour is somewhat minimized where cheap labour is a concern. Not that assembly is more or less complex. And most likely the components themselves still come from Japan. Much like the newer American and European auto lines, there is not ONE country that dominates the complete construction. Parts are from one country, labour another and coporate headquarters in another country. Aren't the MBZ made in the US with labour here, assembeled with parts from Mexico and Europe, with the HDQ's in Germany?