Toyota to Unveil All-New FJ Cruiser SUV at Chicago Auto Show

During the announcement, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. spokesman Sam Butto made no mention of whether the bright blue FJ Cruiser

The FJ Cruiser concept adopted styling cues from the original FJ, notably the front end with its wide and narrow grille, round headlights, and offset combination lamps. Whether or not the production FJ will look the same, is not yet known. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

concept which debuted in Detroit in 2003 has influenced the design of the production FJ, a chunky SUV that could almost intimidate a Hummer H2.

The concept and production model were designed at Newport Beach, California's Calty Design Research, Toyota's North American design center, which intimates that there will surely be similarities.

When the FJ Concept debuted, executive vice president for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Jim Press stated, "The FJ Cruiser is a thoroughly modern concept vehicle chiseled from nearly a half-century tradition of rugged

Toyota hopes the FJ will attract buyers from both the light truck segment and the emerging youth market. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

performance provided by the legendary FJ40, the original 4Runner and 4x4 pickups."

Press went on to say, "The FJ Cruiser concept effectively connects two growing markets in the United States (North America)... the light truck segment and the emerging youth market."

That youth market is important for Toyota, as traditionally when children become adults they tend to purchase different brands than their parents. Such was the reason behind Toyota's Scion brand, featuring the xA compact hatchback, xB compact crossover wagon, and tC sports coupe, none at all similar to Toyota's best-selling Camry sedan or Sienna minivan.