New Toyota LandCruiser arrives in Australia

If you were hoping to get your hands on the all-new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series anytime soon, you’re going to be disappointed.

First examples of the new-generation LandCruiser have made landfall Down Under, but Toyota Australia can’t say when first local customer deliveries will take place until production resumes in Japan.

Carsales has obtained images of the highly sought-after twin-turbo diesel V6-powered off-roader in holding yards in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, but they won’t be going to anyone who has ordered one.

The small number of 300 Series LandCruisers now in Australia – roughly 10 per state by our count – will instead be employed as dealer demos around the country and press vehicles for a planned media launch in October.

First customer deliveries of the new LandCruiser were expected to commence around the same time, but Toyota Australia last week announced that will no longer take place and is yet to provide a new ETA on deliveries.

That’s because the only factory that produces them has been closed for two weeks due to a lack of semi-conductors and will not re-open until at least October.

The COVID-related chip shortage, which some industry officials expect will continue well into 2023, has affected 14 Toyota plants in Japan, forcing the world’s biggest car-maker to cut global production by 40 per cent in September.

With customer delivery times now in limbo for the new LandCruiser, the lengthy waiting list continues to grow.

Despite drive-away prices starting at almost $100,000, the 300 Series has generated more than 12,000 registrations of interest in Australia alone, and we understand the waiting time for new orders already stretched out to seven months prior to the factory closure.

While early-bird orders should still be filled by the end of this year, the waiting list could blow out much further even if the Japanese factory closure isn’t extended.

Reports from Japan, where Toyota was forced to prevent speculators on-selling their vehicles after it received more than 20,000 pre-orders, are suggesting local waiting times as long as several years.

According to BestCar, some Toyota dealers in Japan, where the vast majority of orders are for top-spec ZX and GR Sport variants, are advising customers of delivery wait times of between “two to three years".

The 2022 Toyota LandCruiser is based on a new TNGA ladder platform and is lighter, better equipped and brings more performance thanks to an all-new 3.3-litre turbo-diesel V6 outputting 227kW and 700Nm.

Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and packed with significantly more technology and luxury features than its predecessor, the new model retains a 3500kg towing capacity and is claimed to deliver improved capability off-road and on.

Six model grades will be available – GX, GXL, VX, Sahara, Sahara ZX and the rugged GR Sport – and you can check out our full 2022 LandCruiser pricing and specifications coverage here.

Despite the rush on V8 diesel-powered LandCruiser 200 Series models that saw demand exceed supply and a surge in prices for both new and used models earlier this year, the new LC300 is finding plenty of customers.

Indeed given the long wait times for the new LandCruiser, its only real rival – the Nissan Patrol – could become a major beneficiary of the long waiting list for Aussies who want a large three-row off-road wagon sooner rather than later.

That said, despite record Patrol production for Australia, unprecedented demand has also pushed waiting lists for the petrol V8-powered SUV out to 2022.