How did ISIS get so many Toyota Hilux and Land Cruisers? (vid)

Toyota regrets use of Hilux by ISIS terrorists, but the US wants to know more

Islamic State militants have caused a headache for Toyota after ISIS propaganda videos emerged showing the terrorist group’s use of Toyota. In particular, jihadists prefered car of choice is the Toyota Hilux pickup and the company’s Land Cruisers are particularly popular.

On its part, the Japanese car maker regrets the use of their cars by terorrists and the manufacturers state that they do not know how ISIS obtained the vehicles. “We briefed (the US) Treasury on Toyota’s supply chains in the Middle East and the procedures that Toyota has in place to protect the supply chain integrity,” said Ed Lewis, Toyota’s Washington-based communications director.

Toyota regrets the use of their cars by terrorists and states that it has a “strict policy to not sell vehicles to potential purchasers who may use or modify them for paramilitary or terrorist activities.”

It is impossible for Toyota to track vehicles that have been stolen or bought and resold by middlemen.

On its part US counter-terrorism investigators, want to know where the hundreds of four wheel drives are coming from. US officials regret that Toyota Land Cruisers and the Hilux model have become almost part of the ISIS brand with fleets of the model.

Toyota’s own figures show sales of Hilux and Land Cruisers tripling from 6,000 sold in Iraq in 2011 to 18,000 sold in 2013 and a drop to 13,000 in 2014.

Toyota’s management says that it would immediately take action if it found any dealership selling to the terror group, and this would include termination of the distribution agreement.