What regulations? That platform is already certified in the US. Toyota could bring that truck to the US if they wanted to, but when they did their research they discovered that there’s not enough demand for it.
You can buy it at any dealer if you’re willing to wait.
Funny, took no time at all, chose Los Angeles since I'd think there would be a bunch of car dealers there:
It doesn't have airbags, the engines won't meet emissions testing, and 20 other asinine things. Why would Toyota bother spending the hundreds of millions to bring a cheap truck to market when the next option up is good enough for most people? There's no financial incentive because it's been regulated out of existence.
The only thing touching MSRP around me is slightly used (25k miles).
The only people I've ever known to privately own a single cab pickup are older folks with grown up kids, single guys, or single child households (and this last one was only when 3 person bench seats were still popular)
This thread is literally carbrained now
I think this is just the market demand in North America. The consumer buyers just aren't interested in stripped down, new cars as they want features. If they can't afford it new they'll rather buy used. That's why all of the former cheap, bare bones, "starter-class" new car models have disappeared.
That's what happens when your reject the true 2-door utilities, utes and panel vans, for these 4 door heretic 'trucks'. :p
Because unless you have an HD truck, you'll max out the weight of the bed long before the volume with most loads (though many truck owners unknowingly overload their trucks). Trucks can tow a lot more weight than they can carry in the bed.
My dad went though that thought process when he bought his last truck. He towed a large trailer for work and ended up getting a diesel Ford Excursion so it was comfy for the whole family on trips. Big 3 row SUV with the towing capacity of the F-250.
we are literally discussing one of their biggest bugbears: that trucks are only for work and shouldn't be 'allowed' to be everyday vehicles.
I also have owned multiple small trucks and I'm on your side; they don't work in the modern market. Besides, a van is generally better for anything an S-10, Tacoma, or Ranger could do.
I can certainly understand the appeal of compact pickups in regards to personal use, but the evidence was clear: they just weren't popular, often due to not properly filling any niche. Too light for the average tradesman to use as a dedicated work truck, not enough space for use as a family vehicle, too expensive to justify having for light work in comparison to a UTV. Of course, they work fine as a personal vehicle used for hobby work, but it just doesn't have the same versatility as a full-size pickup.
Which we should call them "Mr Goodbars" of the Internet and life, an unwanted thing even if it's free on the counter for all to have.
