If you want to buy a Japanese truck and import it into the United States, you should consider that some trucks in Japan have a nearly identical counterpart that is already being sold here. However, there are some exceptions and many popular models that are sold in the United States market are not available at all in Japan. For example, you can’t buy an import Tundra from Toyota as they are all made in the United States. On the other hand, you can purchase an import Tacoma under the name it uses in Japan – the Toyota Hilux. So, people interested in importing a Japanese truck, here are some of the most popular models being imported by private buyers in Canada and the US.
1. Toyota Hilux – Powered by Toyota’s highly praised liter diesel engine, the Hilux is the American equivalent Tacoma which usually ships with a gasoline engine in most cases. The fuel efficiency and reliability of the 1KZ-TE has helped establish the Hilux as one of the most dependable small pickup trucks in the world. Because of the rugged build quality of the truck and the money it save drivers at the pump, the Hilux is always in demand and is one of the most popular trucks in terms of direct imports by individual buyers in the US and Canada. A Hilux usually comes with a hefty price tag.
2. Daihatsu HiJet – The Daihatsu HiJet is among a growing number of popular Japanese mini trucks that are currently being imported into the United States and Canada. The mini trucks, also known as Samurai trucks are very small when compared to trucks in the United States. The Daihatsu HiJet is like many other mini trucks from Japan in that it has a very small passenger cabin and a flatbed.
3. Suzuki Carry DD51T Pick Up – The Suzuki Carry weighs only about 1500 pounds, comes standard with four wheel drive, can carry up to 1000 pounds of cargo and has a 660cc engine that allows it to get up to 40 miles per gallon in many cases. Another very popular Samurai truck, the Suzuki Carry is currently being imported into the United States and Canada by many private buyers.
4.Toyota Tundra – When Toyota introduced its Tundra, they officially entered the full-size truck class and was ranked amongst the likes of Ford, Dodge and Chevy. In 2008, Toyota offered the Double Cab and CrewMax models to consumers with a Tundra Grande trim package that substantially lowered the standard features offered, which in turn lowered the price of the truck. However, high trim Tundras offered even more features, thus appealing to the masses. The 2008 Tundra offers a 4.0-liter V6 engine and a 5.7-liter V8. The Toyota Tundra has the reputation of being one of the smoothest, most comfortable full size pickups available. Consumers definitely have a lot of choices when shopping for a used truck; a lot of great choices as each truck is special in its own way.