One of the books that influenced my thinking the most was The Accidental Guerilla by David Kilcullen where he posits that economic disadvantage drove a lot of people to insurgency. This article supports that. Worth a read!
Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
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Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#12Because the chicken tax keeps out great vehicles so the US automakers don’t have to compete. The hilux and 79 landcruiser are run of the mill workhorses in virtually every country in the world except the US and Canada. They run rings around the Tacoma and tundra. Tariffs and old world protectionism like the chicken tax are keeping the US automakers on life support, but they’re all doomed - they’re not even trying to…
AFAIK, the classic Toyota Land Cruiser (J70) has not been sold in EU for more than a decade since it doesn't comply with emission regulations.
Interestingly, some are assembled in Portugal for North African and Middle East markets.
Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#13Glad to see my alma mater represented here doing good research.
I served in Iraq as an AF commander. My 2001 Tundra is still going strong ;)
Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#14I loved my 1987 Toyota 4x4 pickup with all its mods. My wife used to say that I'd get rid of her before I got rid of it (wife's still here; I sold the truck long ago).
But no way in hell would I want to be a real accident in one. That's why they're no longer sold in the US. Amazing off-roader, cheap and extremely reliable.
But they're stuck in 1980's crash survivability while the rest of the world moved on.
Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#15Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#16Because the chicken tax keeps out great vehicles so the US automakers don’t have to compete. The hilux and 79 landcruiser are run of the mill workhorses in virtually every country in the world except the US and Canada. They run rings around the Tacoma and tundra. Tariffs and old world protectionism like the chicken tax are keeping the US automakers on life support, but they’re all doomed - they’re not even trying to…
Been lusting after a 76 cruiser since I got my license. Settled for a first gen taco in the early aughts. It's been from Cabo to Dawson and back again twice and is still only half way through it's useful life..
Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#17Seems like the question is never answered. There's a lot of how the trucks get there, but not why they're better. (I skimmed it, the writing has too much emotional bait of "Look how evil they are! Don't forget, we're the good guys!").
Maybe it's survivor bias, the ones that are crap have been blown up by a Hellfire shot by a drone..
Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#18> It is also a very robust vehicle capable of withstanding elemental and physical extremities, as shown on the British TV show “Top Gear.”[6] If you haven't ever watched Top Gear, this is definitely one of the standout bits they did - putting that truck through absolute hell, and watching it continue to start up. I highly recommend it, even if you don't think of yourself as a Car Guy. It's basically a comedy show tha…
For folks who have never seen it, these are the referenced Top Gear segments:
- part 1: https://youtu.be/xnWKz7Cthkk
- part 2: https://youtu.be/xnWKz7Cthkk
- part 3: https://youtu.be/kFnVZXQD5_k
Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#19Re: Toyotas and Terrorists: "Why are ISIS's trucks better than ours?" (2023)
#20Because the chicken tax keeps out great vehicles so the US automakers don’t have to compete. The hilux and 79 landcruiser are run of the mill workhorses in virtually every country in the world except the US and Canada. They run rings around the Tacoma and tundra. Tariffs and old world protectionism like the chicken tax are keeping the US automakers on life support, but they’re all doomed - they’re not even trying to…
The C8 corvette is car of the year for like 5+ years running by every major automotive publication. When GM/Chevy tries, they beat everyone else. Too bad bean counters ruin everything except their halo cars.