Toyota has confirmed that Japanese Land Cruiser customers were asked to sign an agreement pertaining to their new purchase. They have also established a two-fold reasoning for their attempts to limit resale.
Responding to CarScoops, Toyota Motor Corporation said that the document was down to the popularity of the Land Cruiser in Japan: “Since we want to prioritize customers who have bought a Land Cruiser because they love the model, rather those who buy for resale or for export from Japan, we are requesting confirmation of customer orders with our dealers.”
There’s a certain amount of reading between the lines needed. Still, while TMC’s statement doesn’t outright reference a time limit on sale restrictions, it’s clear that Toyota intends to make sure that each pre-ordered Land Cruiser is a genuine purchase, with confirmation needed of each customer.
Read: Citing Global Security Concerns Toyota Allegedly Forbids New Land Cruiser Customers From Reselling
Another claim made, originally by Japanese publication Creative311, was that Toyota’s measures were in the interests of national security. TMC seemingly confirmed this concern, saying, “We [Toyota] and our dealers share a commitment to preventing our products from being exported for unauthorized use.”
While we’re still not clear on how Toyota would deal with anyone who violates the terms of the agreement, it was suggested in the original report that it will penalize the dealer that sold the offending Land Cruiser, as well as barring the purchaser from any future transactions with the brand.
The new Land Cruiser 300 Series has seen tremendous demand in Japan, with over 22,000 pre-orders reported. With the semiconductor crisis nowhere close to being over, it would be reasonable to assume that supply may become limited. Earlier this week, Toyota announced that it would suspend production at one of the lines at its plant in Tahara and two lines in its Yoshiwara area affiliate factory. These facilities build various Lexus models, as well as the new Land Cruiser.
