You have probably not heard of the new Toyota HiLux Champ pickup. Probably because they don’t want you to know about it. “They” being the people who control the federal regulatory apparat, who don’t want you to know that people in other countries can buy a brand-new pick-up for $13,000 or so to start – something no American has been allowed to do (in America, at any rate) for more than 20 years.
And it’s more than just that. The ’24 HiLux Champ is a mid-sized pickup – not a compact. The latter was the last kind of truck you could buy here for around $13k or so brand-new, about 20 years ago.
You can guess why not – and it has nothing to do with “emissions.”
But hang on for just a second while we take a look at the truck you won’t be allowed to buy, if you’re stuck living in America.
The HiLux Champ is everything a truck used to be, beginning with affordable. It costs about half what you’d spend to buy the least-expensive new truck you’re allowed to buy in America – the Ford Maverick – which stickers for $23,920 to start. And unlike the Maverick – which looks like a truck – the Champ is a truck. Put another way, it isn’t based on a FWD/AWD layout (as the Maverick is) and it features body-on-frame construction rather than unibody construction, which is how almost all new cars are put together.
That means it’s tougher and simpler. Easier to fix – and less likely to break.
And it is affordable because it’s basic as it comes – which is how trucks used to come before a tag-team combo of government-mandated “safety” features that don’t make a vehicle less likely to crash (and in some cases, arguably, make them more likely to end up crashing) and a culture of living-beyond-our-means turned even “base” trim trucks into what would have been considered loaded trucks back when trucks were still trucks.
The HilLux Champ is like those trucks – the ones we used to be able to buy in America, some of them made by American companies. But that was a long time ago.
It is available in standard and long-wheelbase versions and with a diesel or either of two gas-burning four cylinder engines and a standard manual transmission – the latter once-upon-a-time being the standard transmission in pretty much every truck sold in America.
Ditto the regular cab – which has all but disappeared from the American truck market.
It even comes standard with AC – something that used to be optional in pretty much every truck sold in America back when trucks were still trucks and cost less rather than much more than cars, as they do now.
Just not climate-controlled, three-zone AC.
And just one air bag.
It also comes standard with configurability. Toyota designed it with pre-drilled attachment points to easily mount various types of beds, state kits, boxes – pretty much whatever the buyer would like to add to the truck. And Toyota will help the customer do that, by putting them in touch with aftermarket companies and suppliers that can help with that.
Instead of one-size-fits-all (and take-it-or-leave-it) and the price tag that comes along with it, here’s a truck that anyone who can afford a new motorcycle can afford to buy.
“Our ultimate goal,” says a Toyota spokesman, ” was to make this (vehicle) affordable and accessible. If people can afford their first car, which they can use to run a business and generate income, it will enhance their quality of life and provide new economic opportunities.“
Italics added.
Imagine that.
It is unimaginable in America – what has become of America – because the American government is not interested in enhancing the quality of life of Americans – much less providing them with new economic opportunities made possible by their being able to afford a truck like the HiLux Champ. The government that rules Americans wants Americans to be endlessly struggling just to make ends meet, a goal that is achieved by making everything cost more than they can afford. Picture a gerbil wheel and you will have a sense of the plan.
The object being to prevent the accumulation of capital by average people, so that they never become capitalists. That being a threat to state capitalism – i.e., the ownership of essentially everything that matters by the government and the corporate lampreys that feed off of it.
This is achieved by arranging things in such a way that most people spend whatever they earn just to keep up with their debts. This serves the corollary interests of the government and the financial system that bought the government more than 100 years ago (if you’re interested in learning more about that, Edward Griffin’s Creature from Jekyll Island is an excellent primer).
And that is why Americans aren’t allowed to buy a $13k pick-up like the HiLux Champ.
Not because of “emissions” – which are just another bogey. The Champ’s engines do not pollute. But they aren’t compliant – with the very latest American emissions standards, which is not the same thing (or even in the same ballpark) as “polluting.” The Champ meets “Euro5” emissions standards, which allow for almost no emissions. But that is not good enough for the American regulatory apparat, which uses the pretext of “emissions” and the lie that trucks such as the HiLux Champ “pollute” to keep them out of the hands of American buyers.
So as to assure that American buyers aren’t able to buy – as opposed to endlessly make payments on – a truck like the Champ that they might be able to pay for in cash. Or pay off in a year or two.
And so be able to accumulate capital (wealth) rather than live hand-to-mouth.
And there you have it.
Or – rather – there you can’t have it. And now you know what – and why.
. . .
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So a new giant POS truck for $50k, or import 4 of these bad boys and drive them without stickers. If one got confiscated every 2-3 years… if it wern’t for the threat of jail enforced by the gov’t gun, the math on that dosen’t seem bad
Down with FMVSS and CAFE. I hate Virginia! In ohio I could just build my own and it would be a self-assembled vehicle!
Better yet Import one and glue USA tundra body panels outside the front and register it as a Tundra/Tacoma replica vehicle.
Hi Steve,
Try Farm Use tags; it has worked well for me for the past four years!
The Supreme Court just struck down the Chevron Doctrine this past Friday, soooo maybe CAFE goes the way of Joe Biden’s brain?
Everything is more expensive here because of our ability/willingness to pay compared to other countries. Toyota (U.S.) isn’t going to cannibalize their current cash cow vehicles with cheaper models.
Additionally, the vehicle in mention would have to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. That drastically drives up the cost including redesign and lighter/weaker build materials.
Then, if the vehicle has a piece of chipped paint on it (rhetorical), the vehicle is recalled and class-action lawsuits are wanting billions of dollars in judgements out of it, so now the price of the vehicle has to cover massive legal costs. Can’t do all of that for $13,000.
I encountered the Hilux in Costa Rica 20 some years ago. It was our rental vehicle. They were everywhere there. I scoffed, thinking it was some Chinese knock off of the “real” trucks we have in the U.S., that these poor Tico’s had to settle for. I soon came to realize it was a rock solid, no frills, nice driving, highly off road capable, truck. My disrespect transformed to bewilderment, wondering how such a simple, fine vehicle was unavailable to me in my home country.
You, the Goyim, will never be able to buy the Hi-Lux while (((they))) are in charge…
Because (((they))) know that if the Afghanis, the Iranians, the Lebanese can turn them into “Technicals”…
What will the crafty white Christian male come up with to rebel against (((them)))???
YMMV….
If this truck was allowed to be sold worldwide and made for at least 15 years, I bet it would sell Model T, VW Bug numbers.
Especially if there were tons of third party add ons for it.
It probably will be popular no matter in the markets where Toyota is “allowed” to sell it. It’s good to know there is enough of a market to make a vehicle they know they can’t sell here.
I would rather have the Hilux Champ than any of the current crap Toyota sells in the USA.
Well, you can have one, in 2050, when it’s 25 years old…………
If you’re resourceful, you can get one now. Personally, if I were into these type of vehicles, I would purchase a Suzuki Jimny. Only real problem is replacing windscreens. You can’t just go down to Safe Co Auto Glass and get a new one.
It is a known fact that 20 percent of government bureaucrats do the work of the 100 percent and the 80 that do nothing are out campaigning for the candidate that keeps them in their useless government position for the rest of their life. Hopefully come 01/20/2025 at high noon that comes to an end and that 80 percent is showed the door.
“And just one air bag.”
I’ll drive. No, I’ll drive. No, I drive! No you don’t!! Gun play ensues…
Two solutions: 1) Remove it. 2) Add one for the passenger.
If they do being that in, how many interested shoppers know how to shift a manual? Or will there be a “Shift My Champ” app for that? Apple only, of course.
being = bring (stupid keyboard)
Now that the SC has ruled against Chevron Deference, can we expect these EPA-created regulations will be rolled back to those created solely by an elected legislative body and not some overstuffed, trough-feeding bureaucrat? Because I sure would like to buy a diesel, manual shifting Hilux…
The reason you can’t buy it for $13K is Johnson chicken tax in 1964. Johnson started a trade war with tariffs flying everywhere. Eventually calmer heads prevailed and (almost) all of the tariffs were removed. Only the one on small trucks remained. That’s why you can’t have the Helux.
Thanks for saying that regarding the the Chevron Deference ruling, so I didn’t have to. But, not likely. Government doesn’t obey laws, we all know.
So Toyota HiLux can be sold to ISIS but not to Americans? I’ve wondered all these years: Who was exactly that asked for power windows, power seats, back-up cameras, ear-blasting stereos, backseat video entertainment, heated/AC seats, sun roofs, anti-theft systems, passenger cabs on trucks, GPS, etc. It turns a $15,000 vehicle into a $55,000 one and 7 years to pay off, assuming it doesn’t fall apart by then…
Great truck and great commentary following the article.
Keep it going guys…it’s appreciated and needed.
Its past time for the extraction entity fka america to be smashed like an engorged tick.
7.5 billion people mostly agree.
You can be sure if it was called the Elux and costed $73,000 for the base model they would welcome it to America. Hardly anyone would be able to afford it and Toyota would lose money on every one sold and .gov and the EPA would be proud of themselves.
An electric one that costs that would be the only way it would hit showrooms here…..
It’s Sunday, time to ready your Polo horse for the afternoon and evening at the Polo grounds.
Never a better waste of time, you get to feed a 50,000 dollar bit and bridled Polo horse for a Sunday visit that gets so old, you get to do it all over again.
Golf is for losers like Trump and Obama and Tiger.
Not until you have 100 billion dollars can you be qualified to be a Polo horseman.
Pray for Israel while you are at it.
What a mess, pure chaos.
The drinking never stops and the party never ends.
Now that the Supremes have struck down the “Chevron deference” that gave all power to the regulatory agencies, it would be the perfect time to introduce this vehicle to the American market. Probably require a boatload of lawyers since govco would be sure to push back hard, but Toyota has the resources to do it. Would be great to see the whole administrative apparat come crashing down.
That’s exactly what I was going to say Mike. It’s time to fight, but it’s going to take deep pockets, and more, to do so. And then there’s the corruption that holds back many ‘things that are right’.
So it’s going to take a moral leader/company to fix these things. hmmm……………
on a side note, In my normal ‘news/info’ gathering, I’ve noticed big union shops are now ‘advertising’ how great they are…………….haha…………… It seems pressure is being applied.
It doesn’t take deep pockets to fight this. It takes courage and the 2nd Amendment. Enough is enough. WE, the people have the power and tools to back it up. We need to add courage.
We want this truck and we want it manufactured here by people who are qualified by their skill, not a an agenda.
Hi David,
I have a column coming that will address the issue of how we could fight – and win – this battle. Stay tuned!
For sure. We all need a plan.
I imagine the NHTSA, EPA, etc will simply ignore the Court.
Who or what would stop them?
400 million tons going 600mph is a lot of regulatory inertia to overcome.
“The government that rules Americans wants Americans to be endlessly struggling just to make ends meet” – EP
As much as I hate to believe this, it is the truth. We are all to be debt slaves.
We are wanted to finance everything because that is how fake money is generated by banks, which makes the economy look like it is growing.
The more expensive, the more financing required, the more “money” is created, the healthier it looks on paper.
For Sale: one machine gun, can be mounted to a Hilux, and 50,000 rounds of ammunition.
When you have to go big, go big. har
Capitalization requires an army, and that you pay for through the nose.
Everything costs an arm and a leg. No bones about it.
What is it? A 25 trillion dollar economy, one trillion for defense is not that much.
You get 25 dollars for every dollar spent on defending Israel.
Such a deal.
Somebody needs to make a movie.
You are forgetting the BILLIONS being dumped down UKRAINES black hole, all you haters keep focusing on is Israel, what Israel ever gets is a drop in the bucket compared to what Ukraine is getting, stop being Obtuse about it
anybody supports baby killing israel is a traitor
But, Truth . . . . Keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeevvvvv!
Victoria Nuland, what was she doing back in 2014 over there in Jewkraine? How’s that working out?
Killing people isn’t necessarily a winning strategy.
More hasbara, please.
It also comes standard with configurability. It comes standard with pre-drilled attachment points for beds, state kits, boxes – pretty much whatever the buyer would like to add to the truck. And Toyota will help the customer do that, by putting them in touch with aftermarket companies and suppliers that can help with that.
That piqued my attention during the video (which was interrupted with an ad for the hyundai ioniq -comparing it to the Tesla Model Y, two useless vehicles). The world has become customizable. Build what you want around a basic frame. Computers, game consoles and phones show what is possible, even with locked down platforms and vetted app stores. What apps are on my phone aren’t what’s on yours. In the US we’re seeing cars and trucks move the opposite direction, all are bland and identical. Even paint colors are the same, unless you pay up for the “premium” package.
I think Americans, most Americans anyway, don’t really care though. Cars aren’t aspirational for us, at least once we get our license. I’d bet that for many people their only experience with cars is driving to and from work, the Walmart, and to the airport for vacation. I imagine many people see cars as a constant chore they have to have, not the revolutionary device it is. Insurance, taxes and tags, inspections, and ongoing maintenance. Then the trip to the DMV to get your permission slip/travel document updated. And Lord help you if you end up in traffic court. Then the real hassle begins.
Image if the various government agencies got out of the way and let the market free. Would Ford make it easy to outfit your new F-150 as you wished? Would they help develop an aftermarket network for custom builds? Ford does offer most of their trucks and Econoline vans without beds or back ends, and I believe Ram does as well. They tend to go to box truck builders though, and pretty basic interiors too. And I’m sure they’re such a niche market for Ford that they aren’t ever going to put buyers in touch with aftermarket builders either. The aftermarket guys have to go to Ford and beg.
The American car market is customizable in the sense I gave my kids the choice of purple hull peas or sweet corn as their veggie choice. It’s the illusion of choice controlled by the all-knowing, all seeing overlord.
Occasionally I get a wild hair & build a new truck online. Usually to get a particular feature, you have to choose an entire package.
I often try to build the most inexpensive vehicle that those websites allows you to. Of course there is NEVER a truck like that on any dealer lot already made. It is likely it would be hard to even order it in the base form even. I am guessing most would require that you would have to be a fleet buyer to get the cheapest version.
Most of the “average” people aren’t interested in acquiring capital, and if they are, they would like to do so with a “work from home” job requiring only a few hours a day like social media influencer or daytrading Game Stop.
Even if a sub $20k truck were made available in the US right now, it would be purchased as a toy or a “kid car” by the wealthy like the Maverick has been, and not bought in large numbers by people still climbing the economic ladder.
We’ll see what happens with Toyota’s RAV4-based pickup … the Stout?
I’m not holding my breath, however.
Interesting that the presentation is in English but targeted for the Asian market. Is that in Australia or Singapore?
Probably SE Asia, Singapore or in the vicinity. Australia in some ways is further gone than the US.
During Covid, Australia actually opened quarantine camps for travelers arriving from overseas without proof of vaccination.
They also banned private ownership of guns and no concealed carry either…
‘At the heart of the Hilux Champ is a commitment to listening to our customers.‘ — Toyota manager in video
Imagine that! Whereas in statist America, the only customer that counts is the EPA’s claque of marauding red guards.
For the rest of us, the auto market resembles Food Commissary #19 in Moscow, where Soviet citizens waited in grim lines to buy bread. ‘Yes, we have no bananas [affordable cars].’
‘Power does not come from voting. Power comes from the bed of a Toyota Hilux.’ — Andrew Anglin, June 29, 2024
It’s implied that “we the people” have control over our government. Of course we all know that’s a facade. But there’s a little ray of hope that came down from the Supreme Court this week, the end of the Chevron Deference.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-chevron-deference-and-why-it-mattered/ar-BB1p4YnQ
What’s likely to happen is that corporate attorneys will become even more imbedded into the C-suite, and judges will replace bureaucratic managers in deciding who does what. For sure it will make the cost of doing business more expensive. But maybe sorting out regulations isn’t supposed to be efficient. In the long run it will probably make it harder to pass big broad legislation too, meaning more graft for the Congress and more congressional staffers, lobbyists and think tanks to write all the minutia that’s currently just in Federal Register Code. Maybe an opportunity for AI to get into the game too.
Having worked in construction from 1972 to 1999, I am absolutely dumbfounded by both the price and the appearance of trucks since then. It was bad enough in 1999. It hasn’t gotten better. They have been turned from a tool, to an ego massaging device.
And here Toyota offers a tool, and the Psychopaths In Charge won’t let us buy one?
Well, they are psychopaths, after all.
The late 90s was when Dodge started the trend of turning trucks into codpieces.
Titter….that one deserves quote of the day….
It was earlier than that. I remember people making fun of my cousin for buying an Eddie Bauer edition F150 in 1994. Wouldn’t even be a fancy truck now, but it sure was back then. Had a really nice two tone paint job.
Eric,
Also, by keeping people on a hamster wheel of work and debt payments, people are too busy to be aware of how they’re being screwed, let alone be able to DO anything about it!
Hi Marky,
quote: people are too busy to be aware of how they’re being screwed
This is true. I think Some Rothschild stated that as long as there is 8 hour workweek he is safe.
I figured out most of the things about how world really works when I was unemployed. You just get more curios and bother to look in to stuff more. When working you have extra stuff, you socialize and your mind is to tired to look up “random irelevant information”.
It is also the reason no matter how much automation happens working time will never be allowed to drop. You can see it with bulshit jobs epidemic.
Same for me too Pupet. Being unemployed is shitty but it it opens ones eyes about how shitty and stupid a 9-5 is too. My main aim now is to retire much more early, at least from a day to day “job”.
[Also, by keeping people on a hamster wheel of work and debt payments, people are too busy to be aware of how they’re being screwed, let alone be able to DO anything about it!]
That’s a copout! The precise word is lazy. To rally about something flat out wrong requires thinking an a plan of action rather than laying on the couch watching the game brought to you by the same corporations scamming/robbing/ gas lighting you.
“And so be able to accumulate capital (wealth) rather than live hand-to-mouth.”
This inability is the principle demon haunting us today. From true ownership stems freedom, primarily from the ability to refuse. To have independence, financial and otherwise.
It’s just an intangible dream for so many of us.
Hi BaDnOn,
In order to open up almost any businesses You need land. You at least need your place to sit and put a laptop on. If you want to produce something as in food, metal parts etc you need even more. Land should be every citizens birthright. Rich people and corporations shouldn’t be allowed to hoard land. With land you can always just farm and live a humble life. In Roman times citizens owned land slaves and foreigners didnt.
The biggest landowner in Colorado is the federal government. The O’Biden administration has added Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, taking nearly 54,000 acres of prime land (adjacent to Vail) off the market forever. There’s a movement to make the land around the Delores River a national monument as well “to protect” another 400K acres in western CO, locking it down for eternity.
https://coloradosun.com/2024/03/04/dolores-river-national-monument-opposition/
Pond, a former nuclear engineer who now runs an RV park in Naturita, quickly launched a petition at change.org saying the monument designation would cancel all mining in the uranium-rich area, end hunting and cattle grazing and curtail motorized travel.
“I think it absolutely, positively could be a threat,” Pond told The Colorado Sun. “If you look at the history of monument designations over time, more and more restrictions are put in place as more people start coming.
Real estate is the new gold. But only if you eliminate supply. Interesting that after Nixon closed the gold window, suddenly the homestead act was ended and the eco-warriors rose to power. Some might even go so far as to see a connection between expensive land and climate change hysteria (who really cares if the ocean level rises to engulf all that beachfront property? The rich f***s who own it, that’s who).
Hi Kilowatt,
quote: Some might even go so far as to see a connection between expensive land and climate change hysteria.
There is a connection but its not like that. Co2 and ecology™ is used to keep land scarce. I think in California environmental permits cost 300 000 dollars before the house is even allowed to be built.
Homesteading and abolishing building permits would actually make world greener.
Good point, one that I hadn’t considered. Once it’s built, it’s grandfathered. If you want to make your 1920’s era bungalow valuable without having to improve it, prevent anyone else from building anything.
Similar to NIMBY rules that outlaw building above a certain number of stories, historic districts and aggressive HOA contracts limiting paint and trim choices, blocking off development keeps existing buildings unchanging and ever more valuable. I’m getting the details wrong, but a few years ago some rich bastard in Aspen cut down a row of trees on his property so that he could get a view of Ajax mountain. His neighbor, who could now see the “lumberjack’s” house complained bitterly in the letters to the editor of the Aspen Times, threatening legal action.
“Homesteading and abolishing building permits would actually make world greener.”
And exactly that, Pupet! There is nothing “green” about clustering us into dirty cities and being dependent on factory farms and centralized energy systems.
The truth is, those who seek off-grid independence are the best stewards of the environment. Independence is, however, quite a problem for the Powers, who are vampires that like to keep their prey confined for easy feeding.
“The truth is, those who seek off-grid independence are the best stewards of the environment. Independence is, however, quite a problem for the Powers, who are vampires that like to keep their prey confined for easy feeding.”
BaDnOn On reason is narcissism and desire for power but I think a good chunk of elites would starve to death if they had to take care of themselves even with freely accessible materials to learn and means of production as in homestead. They are just too specialized in leeching from others. They are gods in this system they would be below average / dead in system we want.
Less than 5% of Alaska is privately owned. Imagine if even another 5% was “allowed” to fall into private hands. It would be like the land rush in the west again.
In California burnt forest is locked down four years with a $5k trespassing fine. Quite the bargain.
How bout that Mew York island?
What are they trying to hide in those burnt forests?
“The biggest landowner in Colorado is the federal government.”
And it’s all for sale. Mostly to China.
Hey Pupet,
I remember long ago hearing that “Land is a man’s very own soul.” from the movie “Far and Away”, and it stuck. But growing up and learning the reality of land’s importance was truly motivating. I now own my over 10 rural acres, and it is doubtless liberating.
Regarding opening a business: that’s just what I’m fighting to do. It’s still considerably difficult as I’m doing all the land-preparation and concrete work, and all the while being plagued by problems with failing vehicles, tractor issues, typical homesteading challenges, etc. Between that and keeping my current employer happy, I hardly have any EP Autos time, haha.
But it’s all part of the adventure. Hopefully, before too long, I will properly launch my own business and have my own structures, built to my specifications and powered completely by off-grid methods. Then, hopefully, our food production will begin, improving until we’re all-but-completely independent from the outside world.
Hi BaDnOn,
quote: Then, hopefully, our food production will begin, improving until we’re all-but-completely independent from the outside world.
I hope you make it and wish the best luck to anyone that tries anything similar. Its crazy how many obstacles the system places on all of us. Its all purposeful. If you are growing your own food and being largely self sufficient you are not contributing to the holly GDP and we cant have that.
I genuinely believe human race would reach almost post scarcity if every man was left with a piece of land to experiment. Unfortunately if everyone lived like that the holly GDP would be almost 0.
Pupet,
There is a tenet of communism: No one may own a means of production. I have come to understand that to prosper, exactly the opposite should be true.
Everyone should own a means of production.