Toyota of America is way behind Toyota of Japan

OK - so probably off-topic, but found this on the other Toyota forum. If true, this is a slap in the face to Americans. Wonder what the options on the Tacoma are? And the ability to upgrade your car AFTER the fact!!

From a post on another Toyota forum:

"Quick rant, so I believe that Toyota of America is really lacking behind Toyota of Japan. I am a Toyota salesman and I love Toyotas and the Camry is one of my favorite cars and it is also one of the most popular cars we sell. However I think Toyota of America is behind. See we recently purchased a 2018 Camry XSE, it's pretty basic, no pano sunroof and no audio upgrades or driver assist package. The Entune 3.0 radio or infotainment system is way behind the competition. Very little app support, no apple carplay or android auto and don't even get me started on scout gps link. So I was thinking, there is no way in h*ll that this system would fly in Japan. So I started doing some research on the Japanese Camry and what kind of accessories are available from Toyota. This blew my mind, not only way the infotainment system way more advanced in Japan, but it could also be changed or upgraded after purchase, STILL OEM TOYOTA. This is genius, being able to upgrade your infotainment system after the fact. Then I also find out you can add parking sensors, a front camera, and 360 cameras, dash cameras, afterwards as well. Would be interesting to see of these parts would work on a domestic Camry. The amount of accessories available from Toyota blew me away. On top of all the cool electronic accessories you can add, they even have pretty sweet TRD parts available too, TRD wheels, front and rear lips, side skirts, spoilers, suspension. Maybe it's just me or maybe Toyota of America is trying to appeal to a different age group, but I think that they are missing out. Let me know what you think and check out the links below to check out some cool JDM accessories that we cannot get over here.

https://toyota.jp/catalog/camry_main...get/page_no=56
https://toyota.jp/catalog/camry_acc/...get/page_no=20
https://toyota.jp/catalog/camry_navi...get/page_no=14"

 

In America it all about MONEY
In japan is detail & quality
Sad but true

 

While the quality of toyota has drastically took a crap over the years it's the lesser of the evils in my point of view. There really aren't too many choices, american trucks are built more shitty (drive them everyday for work) and nissans are garbage so this is what we're stuck with

 

its also a difference of rules, Toyota standards bureau is more up to date than usa federal rules. remember usa federal rules are about 10-20 yrs behind the rest of the world. look at the german headlight systems and tail light systems that are not allowed in the usa due to those behind the time federal rules.

good example : https://youtu.be/Zur2KcBOUf4

 

Not sure what you're driving; my '17 Super Duty is a much higher quality vehicle than my '17 Tacoma.

 

Keep in mind that the Tacoma and HiLux aren't the same vehicle. I do wonder how much commonality there is.

 

I think big auto is going to be investing more in software vs hardware features. Meaning integrate with your smart phone vs reienvent the wheel inside your car with their own nav, apps, etc. I want my head unit to take direction from my phone. Not learn 2 OS's

 

15:54 typical BMW driver

That Mercedes headlight system is insane.

 

Toyota fans are like “Jekyl and Hyde”

The endless bitchin’ be like:

First minute: “Give us simple vehicles that are reliable, easy to fix, and no nanny features”

Next minute: “goddam entune! Give us CarPlay and 360 cameras and electric seats!!!”

Yadayadayadawawawawawa

 

I'm new Toyota, but have been driving German cars for the last 15 years. Much of the same with most foreign manufacturers. As others have pointed it out it often has to do with difference in local law. (DOT versus TUV standards in Germany) Those laws generally pertain to things like suspension, lighting, wheel offsets, etc, but they end up resulting in different options / accessories than their US iterations.

Examples: The Audi R8 had the first LED daytime running lights. DOT determined that the LED running light had to shut off when the driver enabled the turn signal in order to ensure the signal was visible to other drivers. So now you have the wink condition when the turn signal is on. US RS3 have had plastic 'wings' added to their rear wheel arches at the port because the wheel offset doesn't meet DOT standards.

This may not speak to why the infotainment is behind, however, it doesn't surprise me that Japan would have seen Carplay or Android Auto before the US. I suspect much of that has to do with licensing.

 

Move to Japan so you can buy a cool car.......lol

 

Well, my fist Toyota purchase was a '17 4Runner for the wife. It's solid AF and I have had not had any issues at all. I was so impressed I decided to buy myself a Tacoma, thinking the quality would be the same. Well, it's not. The Taco has been back to the dealership for multiple TSB's and other issues. It vibrates, hums, and rattles. It's a struggle to believe these two cars came from the same company.

 

Good - I wish I could have my exact truck (V6, 4door, MT, manual seats, etc..) but without Entune crap. I am happy we do not have that "smart" tech stuff.

 

How many gimmicks do you need in a vehicle,geez.They take you from point A to B.
Can you imagine the cost upkeep 10 years down the road when all the (extras) start breaking.

 

Your 4runner was manufactured and assembled 100% in Japan, that's the difference.

 

Just buy a Land Cruiser or a 4Runner, those are shipped here from the Araco plant in Japan.

 

You can. It is called an aftermarket head unit. You can buy them with or without many of the features you like/dislike about the stock entune unit.

Same truck and entune is gone.

 

FTFY

Except ya, fuck entune from genesis.

 

Yup, the Tacoma is designed, and built in North America, your 4runner is designed, built, and all parts from Japan. Big difference.

 

The second group aren’t Toyota fans. They’re noobs who migrated from jettas and civics and truly need minivans.