Toyota Fortuner axed

The slow-selling Toyota Fortuner large SUV will be axed in Australia mid-next year with no direct replacement on the horizon.

The end of the Fortuner comes after a 10-year local run and coincides with the introduction of the ninth-generation HiLux.

Despite Toyota’s immense 4x4 reputation and the popularity of the HiLux, the Fortuner never became a sales heavy-hitter like the bigger, more expensive and more advanced Prado.

“Fortuner has been a great product for us over the years and found a relatively small but relatively enthusiastic customer base,” Toyota marketing supremo Sean Hanley told journalists.

“But with production ending next year and customer preferences shifting in Australia, we made the decision to discontinue the Fortuner.”

Those shifting customer preferences were toward HiLux and other SUVs, Hanley clarified.

“It’s normally family circumstances or employment related circumstances, lots of different circumstances.

“I suspect HiLux will fill that gap.”

Hanley ruled out a replacement for the Fortuner such as the US market 4Runner or the smaller 4x4 revealed at the Tokyo motor show as the FJ.

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