Toyota Boss: LandCruiser 70 Series 'Trust' Trumps Ford Ranger Super Duty specs

Toyota Australia sales chief Sean Hanley says he isn’t losing any sleep over the upcoming Ford Ranger Super Duty, claiming the LandCruiser 70 Series has a "trust" factor that no spec sheet can replicate.

Ford’s new heavy-duty ute is set to arrive early in 2026 with headline-grabbing numbers that seemingly eclipse the 70 Series, including a 4,500kg towing capacity and 4,500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) straight from the factory.

But when asked if he was worried about the new rival stealing sales from Toyota’s mining and fleet strongholds, Hanley was dismissive. He argued that for remote area buyers, the promise of reliability outweighs higher towing figures.

"In the ute segment it's not about more," Hanley told CarSauce. "It's got to be reliable. Tested."

"People have got to say 'yeah I trust that car. I trust to go out there cause I know I'm coming home'. LandCruiser 70 does that. Been doing it 30 years, 40 years."

While the Ranger Super Duty offers higher on-paper capability than the current 70 Series (which is rated to tow 3,500kg), Hanley claims Toyota’s major fleet customers simply aren't asking for a heavier-duty 70 Series to match those numbers.

"No, not sitting here right now," Hanley said when asked if he foresaw a need for a 4.5-tonne towing upgrade. "Depends what the customer wants I guess... but [the 70 Series] is out in the market for what it is."

He noted that despite the platform's age, demand remains incredibly strong without the need for retail incentives.

"On the whole, customers like that car. They like what they are getting."

The comments set the stage for a fascinating battle in 2026. Ford is betting that fleets want modern tech, safety, and massive factory-backed payloads, while Toyota is banking on the idea that in the middle of nowhere, nothing beats a 40-year track record of survival.