Product attributes
Like the Hummer, the Mega Cruiser was originally designed primarily for military use with the vehicle seeing duty as a transport vehicle in the Japan Self Defense Forces.
Sold exclusively in Japan via Toyota Store locations, the Mega Cruiser was also used by prefectural police, the Japan Auto Federation and fire/rescue departments. As of 2020, it was reported that Toyota had produced 3,000 units before production was halted. A total of 133 Mega Cruisers were sold to civilians.
History
A prototype of the Toyota Mega Cruiser was first presented to the public at the 30th Tokyo Motor Show in October 1993. Production began in late 1995 at Toyota's Gifu Auto Body subsidiary before sales began in 1996.
All Mega Cruiser production was reported to have been halted in 2001 while sales officially ended in 2002. The reason being slow sales due to strict vehicle taxes and Japan having a lot of narrow streets.
Some Mega Cruisers were sold overseas from Japan as grey imports.
