Thirty thousand, two hundred and twelve. As of October 16, that’s how many people clicked on our story of the 2021 Toyota Fortuner’s tentative prices, according to Google Analytics. As anyone who browses the Internet regularly would know, clicking signifies intent and purpose. More than 30,000 souls want to know how much the new Fortuner might cost because they are either interested in buying soon, or buying in the future.
That many potential buyers sounds like a lot. Maybe they were just curious? But if you look at Toyota Motor Philippines’ (TMP) unit sales breakdown in 2019, you will see that it sold 19,865 Fortuners last year. So, 30k potential customers doesn’t seem that implausible now.
What’s the enduring appeal of this midsize SUV in a time when competition has never been so stiff? I can easily name three things: Its design, cabin, and badge. The Fortuner has a design with just enough angas that relatives will notice when you arrive at the family reunion. The cabin has an upmarket vibe, as if sprinkled with some Lexus magic dust. But the biggest reason for this model’s success could be the Toyota logo on the grille.