spwolf

http://dailykanban.com/2015/10/toyot...gain-cui-bono/




Excellent article, if anyone was wondering whats up with all the stories. I was quite surprised at how internet commenters didnt go for this and on many sites you see people explaining that everyone drives Toyota truck in the middle east, as well as that Army Rangers are using them in their operations as well. Not to mention how ISIS captured over 2000 Humwees from Iraqi soldiers that were donated by the US.

Original ABC articles even said that Toyota sells vehicle called ISIS in Japan and Asia (mid-sized minivan). That was left hanging there

chikoo

You forgot buzzfeed.

Quadro

This is just stupid. Toyota trucks are driven by variety of people because they are capable, dependable and are not going to leave you stranded which in places like that is literally a life and death situation.

They don't drive American SUVs because they are not cut for the job, not because somehow they are unable to get their hands on them.

Vladi

Well I did read a while ago that arm modified Hiluxes come from Turkey. But there were also reports that some dealerships in Dubai are supplying the terrorists as well.

Anyhow the same reporter could also ask a question why there are thousands of Hummers in ISIL vehicle fleet as well since that vehicle is not sold to general public like Toyotas. Was it too expensive to ship them back so they just left them laying around Iraq just like other weapons? Did supplied allies got captured and surrendered the vehicles or did they just give them away? That would be the great story.

Toys4RJill

Lol

If you look carefully there are some Nissan Titans in the convoys.

Quadro

And your point is? I never said they drive Toyota only.

Nissan is a Japanese company by the way. It just proves once more that Japanese build much better trucks ;-)

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

even terrorists appreciate reliability.

spwolf

Toyota holds huge market share in those countries in middle east, it is by far the most popular brand... Hilux is way more popular in the middle east than for instance F150.

spwolf

only confirmed reports were that 800 stolen Hiluxes from Australia ended up in middle east, as well as ones given from US goverment to rebels (trained by US in Turkey) that went over to ISIS.

As to the Humwees, 2000 of them were taken from Iraqi military when they run away from ISIS, together with M1's and a lot more military weapons from US.

I very much doubt that any Toyota dealership is selling to ISIS, even from Qatar, because US can easily request VIN check from Toyota to see where they came from and then Qatar would be in big trouble.

Thing is that everyone wants Hilux in middle east... it is pickup of their choice, 2x more popular than F150 in the USA. So it is not brainer that ISIS is using them. Lots of spare parts everywhere, and everyone knows how to work on them.

Even Army Rangers in middle east get deployed in Hilux since they are a lot more maneuverable than Humwees.

Toys4RJill

I highly doubt the Hilux is 2X as popular as an F 150 is the US.

FWIW, in Afghanistan 2001, the truck of choice for Amry Rangers was a modified Tacoma brought over from the US.

mmarshall

American-badged SUVs, while maybe not as dead-reliable as a Toyota Land Cruiser, have become reasonably reliable in recent years. ISIS and other terrorist groups shun them, not because they are not up to the job, but because of the U.S.-origin of the company nameplates (even if the vehicles themselves are simple rebadged versions of something designed and/or built overseas). To them, and their warped religious/political views, that would be driving something from the Great Satan.

Quadro

Sorry but so-called American SUVs are full steam ahead of becoming less and less relevant for third world countries. Everything gets replaced with flimsy unibody crossovers and small turbo engines pressured by CAFE. The ones which are still trucks became floating barges. Good for getiing groceries in the rain but that's about it.

If you were to coss Middle East which American SUV would you choose other a Toyota? Is there even one?

mmarshall

True, maybe less-relevent to Third-World countries in general. But this thread is not about appeal of Toyotas or American-badged SUVs those countries in general, but to terrorist groups inside of them......groups with a violent hatred for the U.S., Britain, Israel, and much of the West.

If, for any reason, a Toyota Land Cruiser was out (which would probably be my first choice), a 4x4 Chevy Tahoe, IMO, would be a good alternative, It's big, yes, and uses a lot of gas (remember, though, gas is cheap in the Middle East) but also has a very rugged frame, a good GM air-conditioner for the desert heat (climate control is something that GM often excels in), plenty of room inside, and nice interior trim to look at whiie you're riding. In fact, if interior trim were an issue, the upmarket versions of the Tahoe (GMC Yukon/Denali and Cadillac Escalade) are, of course, even nicer).

Quadro

This would be true if everybody in the GCC rolled in American SUVs except ISIS. Yet everybody uses Toyotas because people buy what works best for the conditions. All of this is just common sense there is no need to be looking for some else bizzare hidden reasons.

I just don't see how this is going to happen. Tahoe is a typical behemoth SUV designed with only American market in mind. But you're welcome to prove me wrong - after all if Tahoe so good for the GCC they must be selling a lot of them over there?

mmarshall

I don't think it's a question of which one of us is right or wrong....it's subjective. I just responded to your question of what I'd choose if I wanted an American-nameplate SUV for Middle-Eastern conditions. But I agree....it's hard to beat a Land Cruiser. The British Range-Rover has always been a good combination of off-road ability, plushness, comfort, and refinement......but has suffered in the reliability area. Plus, it would probably be hated by the same crowd that hates the U.S., simply because it is a British product....from our closet ally.