It would seem 2016 will be a watershed year in the Australian 4x4 market, and maybe a barometer for the direction of the global scene.
This is not meant as a whinge. We are spoilt here with vehicle choice, especially compared to the size of the market. Even in the short time I have been here, I have seen Australia change from somewhere where cars were often considerably down-specced before being launched on the Australian market. To being somewhere where we have access to almost every vehicle, and within our context here, possibly the best ‘real’ off-road market in the world.
So, first we said goodbye to the Y61 Nissan Patrol.
One of the last stalwarts of what most of us would term ‘old school’ 4x4's. Been used and enjoyed by many over the years.
[That clip is worth a watch just to show how dangerous a snatch strap is when it lets go. Be careful with your toys kids]
Now we are saying goodbye to the FJ Cruiser.
An unexpected hit, and showed someone in the Toyota styling department still had a pulse. As the video says, who knows how many they would have sold, had it had diesel and manual options...
Obviously the stock that is left of Defenders is it (and it would seem there is rife profiteering from anyone who has one).
We still get the Jimny.
Also of course the 70. Here with perhaps the greatest 4x4 modification, portal hubs. These ones from long running Australian company Marks Adapters (yes, I looked into portal hubs for the Rangie). Maybe not quite as clean a design as say a Unimogs, but still my No 1 mod on the ultimate build.
How long that particular vehicle is with us, really depends on it’s large scale commercial customers. Although it seems Andrew has made some Australian friends who will build him a ‘lightly modified’ one.
I like his description of his rousing reception at Overland West and how he is upfront about being ‘sponsored’ in the next vehicle build.
However the pick-up chassis based, 4wd wagon market has gone ballistic.
It seems the wagon version of the Izuzu D-Max, the MU-X was the first to really start getting going, with it’s close relation the Holden Colorado. Now we’ve seen the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Ford Everest and Toyota Fortuner (so despite the Fortuner being available in South Africa for some time, Toyota was suprisingly late to this party (although maybe not suprising, considering how many Prado’s they sell, at higher profit margins, no doubt) but it’s popularity forced the Big T’s hand). So this coupled with their ute pick up bretheren, is the battle ground. Not too big but big enough(?), affordable, great fuel economy and proper off-road ability. What else do you need? (trust me, I have though long and hard about going down this down this path...).
What else? Well the Chinese’s manufacturers have been probing this market for a few years now. First up was Great Wall, with a pick up and wagon, fashioned from various Toyota and Mitsubishi hand-me downs. Now we have Great Wall Haval, with their H9 bravely taking on the Prado (good luck with that!).
http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/issue026/#55
Interestingly also, the Foton Tunland.
Which comes with a non direct-injection Cummins diesel. Foton is an actual truck manufacturer (the big things, not Raptors) and is allied with Daimler (goodthing/badthing/notsure). Could this become one of those pick-ups that just goes on forever? Maybe. Am I getting one? Nope.
The best 4x4 currently for sale in Australia? Well that’s easy...