User:WiiKiBoyz/Sandbox/Automotive and Motorcycle

The Lexus LT is a mid-sized luxury pickup truck produced and manufactured by the Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Corporation. Designed to replace Toyota Hilux (which is discontinued in Japan, and assembled in Thailand), the LT features first-in-class electric-petrol hybrid technology which is not available in other pickup trucks. According to Lexus, the LT stands for "Luxury Truck". Unlike Hilux or Tacoma, the Lexus LT is designed for Japanese Domestic Market.

History
Toyota had started the production of Hilux in 1968 for Japanese and global markets, where it was assembled in Toyota City. At that time, the Hilux was offered luxury features which was not in other trucks. In 1980s, the Hilux was first assembled outside Japan. This led many assemble plants to produce them for their market. In 2005, when the IMV Project started in Thailand, Toyota discontinued the Hilux from JDM lineup and fully shifted the production to there, leaving no pickup trucks sold in Japan. The Tacoma, a replacement for Hilux in North America, is not sold for Japan, although it is assembled in Hamura, Tokyo.

Differing safety and emissions standards in North America and Japan prevented the importation of the Hilux while the need for right-hand drive in certain international markets prevented the exportation of the Tacoma. The Lexus LT350h, a JDM successor for Hilux, will be unveiled in 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.