I'm skeptical about how much the production truck will really look like that and keep hoping to see spy pics posted somewhere. I'm not in the market for a new truck but my dad is - with the exception of a couple of right-priced Chevys along the way he's always been a Ford man, so I'd have to disagree about Ford having nothing to worry about. He's trying to decide whether to buy a current Toyota or wait for the new model. Ford and the other domestics will have even more to worry about when Toyota brings out their heavy-duty pickups.
With Ford trucks having the proven reputation of being the most solid , heavy duty work trucks in th USA, why would you think Toyota would be a concern to the Ford truck manufacturers ?
Because Toyota builds good stuff, period, and I think they've really started to figure out this whole full-size truck thing. There are plenty of people sold on Japanese-branded vehicles in general and Toyotas in particular, and those who have need of a bigger pickup will definitely give a heavy-duty Toyota a look. I would.
With Ford trucks having the proven reputation of being the most solid , heavy duty work trucks in th USA, why would you think Toyota would be a concern to the Ford truck manufacturers ?
Because Toyota builds good stuff, period, and I think they've really started to figure out this whole full-size truck thing. There are plenty of people sold on Japanese-branded vehicles in general and Toyotas in particular, and those who have need of a bigger pickup will definitely give a heavy-duty Toyota a look. I would.
So , if Toyota starts building their HD trucks with the same type of construction as the Fords , would they not become more expensive due to the heavier metal needed and the import tariffs ? Or in your opinion, would the Japanese lower labor costs be able to offset that price increase and make the Tundras competitive with Fords pricing?
Although the current Tundra enjoys brisk sales due to its refined ride and easy-to-drive demeanor, Toyota knows that in order to compete with the big boys it needs a bigger truck. The next-generation Tundra will be a full-size truck in every respect, with a larger V8 power plant and comparable dimensions to Detroit's biggest and best. The FTX concept truck shown at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show was a preview of what Toyota has in mind. Its outlandish size and styling may get toned down a bit for the production truck, but there's no doubt who Toyota is targeting. In fact, Toyota is so intent on building a credible truck, it's constructing an all-new plant in San Antonio, Texas, to build it.
As Red Star posts, U.S. import tariffs forced the Japanese into building their U.S. market trucks here a long time ago. I really do hope that as long as I buy trucks they will continue to be Fords, but that will only happen if I think the best truck is still a Ford. All I'm saying is the domestics had better keep their eyes on the ball this time.
Unfortunately, bean counters and penny pinchers run today's corporations, not automotive people. The bottom line is what matters, and THIS years bonuses.
These accountants do NOT, CANNOT and WILL not think ahead beyond the end of the current fiscal year's numbers. They are simply INCAPABLE of it. Take an accounting course, and you will see, the end of the fiscal year is all they care about. That end number and nothing else.
Unfortunately, real people care about quality. When you cut costs, and squeeze suppliers, what usually gives first is quality. Then these STUPID accountants wonder why their warranty costs are going up a year or two down the road.
They just don't get it, can't get it, and will NEVER get it. As long as bean counters are in charge, nothing will change. What will change, and what has already starte changing, is the American public's buying habits.
As the current losses at GM and Ford show, it's time to pay the piper. Unfortunately, the executives have already gotten THEIR bonuses and severance paychecks. The one who suffers is the average Joe working on the line, trying to make an honest living and support his family through hard work.
He's the one who's being downsized, outsourced, and getting his health benefits cut. He's the one being blamed by the management for the current "cost problem" due to "union benefits", when in fact, it's the management's fault. Nobody worries about the little guy.]
Last edited by Powerdude; 12-25-2005 at 08:30 PM.
Reason: spelling
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