Tech & Auto
How The Toyota Hilux Became Banned In America
By DANIEL FEININGER and DAVE MCQUILLING
The Toyota Hilux launched in Japan in 1968 and came to the U.S. a few years later. However, the truck has become a rare sighting in North America.
While the Hilux isn't necessarily banned in the United States, the vehicle was essentially replaced by the Toyota Tacoma in 1995 due to emissions and safety standards concerns.
The model is still made and shipped worldwide, but the U.S. no longer builds it. Due to a tariff known as the chicken tax, those who want one need to pay an additional 25% fee.
This extra cost, combined with the fact that the Tacoma provides essentially the same experience as the Hilux, makes Americans less likely to want to buy and import the truck.