The Taliban love Toyota… but why?
History of the Japanese carmakers' horrible fan groups
Hack your Toyotatruck
Mizokami writes on the history of the Special Forces. They kit out Toyota Tacoma trucks with roll cages, machine gun mounts, bumper winches, brush guards, and antenna mounts. Infrared headlamps replace standard headlights.
These hacked vehicles are known astechnicalsand can also be used by terrorists and the militias. They become war ready with “a machine gun, anti-aircraft gun, rotary cannon, anti-tank weapon, anti-tank gun, ATGM, mortar, multiple rocket launcher, recoilless rifle and other support weapons,” wrote Mizokami.
“Some vehicles even receivedBlue Force Trackers, the U.S. Army’s digital position-reporting system.”
What’cha doing about it, Toyota?
In 2015ABC news reportedU.S. counter-terror officials askedToyotato help them determine howISIShad managed to acquire all of the pickup trucks and SUVs in terrorist propaganda vehicles in Iraq, Syria, and Libya.
The company shared that Toyota has a “strict policy to not sell vehicles to potential purchasers who may use or modify them for paramilitary or terrorist activities.”
However, it is impossible to track stolen vehicles and those bought and sold on by middlemen.
Toyota stops truck resells
Quartzreportsthat Toyota Land Cruiser 2022 buyers had to sign a contract promising not to resell the vehicle within a year. The truck is the company’s longest-running model and went on sale this month.
Astatement by Toyotaconceded the Land Cruiser’s popularity overseas and said, “we are concerned about the flow of vehicles from Japan to overseas immediately after their release, as well as the possibility of them being exported to certain regions where security regulations are in place.”
If dealerships sell their vehicles to terrorists, the company could be subject to legal penalties, and the statement further notes:
Trucks are not the only popular Toyota in the Middle East. One article claims thatabout 90% of the cars registered in Afghanistanare Toyota Corollas. Toyotas are affordable. They offer good mileage and it is easy for locals to access new parts.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart ci(show all)Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart cities, and the future of alternative energy sources like electric batteries, solar, and hydrogen.
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