The Toyota Land Cruiser is so big in Japan that Toyota Motor Corp. is telling customers the wait for delivery has stretched to four years.

"We're not trying to catch up" with domestic competitors, says Mike Sweers, the executive chief engineer for the automaker's trucks.

The luxury brand has been cast in a starring role in Toyota Motor's $70 billion investment. As part of the plan for Lexus dealers to serve customers and alleviate any range anxiety, gasoline-electric and plug-in hybrids will have a key role.

U.S. light-vehicle sales, hampered by lean stockpiles and chronic parts shortages, declined by double-digits in June, capping a weaker second quarter and first half. The SAAR tallied 13.22 million last month, the second lowest pace of the year. Lights trucks drove Ford to a 1.8 percent gain in the second quarter and a 32 percent June surge, ending a streak of monthly declines at the Ford brand and Lincoln.