Toyota Plans To Export US Built Gas Guzzlers To Emerging Nations

Toyota Motor Corp plans to prop up production at one of its under-utilised U.S. factories by exporting to the fast-growing markets of the Middle East and China, the Asahi Shimbun daily reported on Tuesday.

Toyota, the world's biggest automaker, will begin shipping the Sequoia large sport utility vehicle to the Middle East some time this year, and the Sienna minivan as early as 2010 to China and other markets, the paper said, without citing sources.

Both models are produced at Toyota's Indiana factory.

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0to60 - 5/20/2008 2:28:49 PM

+3 Boost

Not a bad idea to effectively utilize over produced vehicles in this market.

tundrahq - 5/21/2008 11:03:04 AM

+3 Boost

There's also the fact that a weak dollar has made it very profitable to sell U.S. produced vehicles overseas. The weak dollar isn't ALL bad...

toolatetorace - 5/21/2008 10:03:17 PM

+1 Boost

They have been since WW II

EL34 - 5/20/2008 3:09:10 PM

-5 Boost

What they should do with those big old ugly SUV's is blow'em up ;->

EL34 - 5/20/2008 3:53:42 PM

-1 Boost

No, it's the new Toyota Fugly :-(

_43LE - 5/20/2008 4:37:54 PM

+1 Boost

"Toyota Fugly" LOL!! You're such a funny guy EL34! Never would have thought of that name? Ha ha ha! You kill me, so original!

theoptimisticpessimist - 5/20/2008 8:22:02 PM

+4 Boost

Theres a commitment to the environment from the hybrid leader.

ChicaneShooter - 5/21/2008 12:01:00 AM

+3 Boost

while they don't RUN the company, toyota has beancounters just like any other. who always place PROFITS above environmentalism.

this is just a smart, profitable move to sell thirstier vehicles in markets where demand still exists. they will likely sell at HIGHER PRICES as well, to well-heeled customers who don't even blink at $8-10/gallon gas, nor $90-100,000+ large vehicles.
(and LAUGH at 'mericans whining about $4 gas!)

a win-win solution for toyota profitability!

ChicaneShooter - 5/22/2008 8:33:43 AM

+1 Boost

and just WHY is it not smart?

DW1968 - 5/24/2008 11:14:16 PM

+1 Boost

I don't think theoptimisticpessismist is arguing that this isn't a smart or expedient or economic move...just that it's inconsistent with Toyota's claim to being a leader in environmental responsibility.