Saw it this A.M. in Chicago. Ram-like front end, high tech, F-150 looking, buckets/dashboard. 5.7 L V-8. Has the 3 typical model types with 3 interior packages. Toyota expects to build 200K per year starting in January. Should be a very competitive end-of-the-year period for the truck world with the GM 900 platform due out in October. I don't think Ford needs to worry about the new Tundra for I wasn't very impressed. No factory spray on bedliner option nor were the tire size setups discussed.

 

tundra isn't bad, but it isn't the biggest of the bunch either. I think I'd rather have a titan if I went import. The other guys (honda, and I think mitsubishi?) are only making minivans that look like trucks. Not the correct frame.

 

On the topic of frames...

 

OOOPS!

 

Didn't we, as a country, say pretty much the same thing back in the late 60's? "The little Corolla might get really good mileage, but that company will NEVER compete with a real American car like a Galaxie..." If there's anything we learned in 30 years, it's this: don't EVER underestimate Toyota. A good portion of the passenger-car market that Ford has lost in the past 5 years went to them.

 

Didn't we, as a country, say pretty much the same thing back in the late 60's? "The little Corolla might get really good mileage, but that company will NEVER compete with a real American car like a Galaxie..." If there's anything we learned in 30 years, it's this: don't EVER underestimate Toyota. A good portion of the passenger-car market that Ford has lost in the past 25 years went to them.

There, fixed.

 

Wow, and I thought it was depressing enough, referring to the ONE MILLION sales Ford lost in just the past FIVE years (source: last week's Automotive News). I'd hate to think how much they lost in the past 25...

 

Add GM and Chrysler into that. Was Detroit and Dearborn really that asleep, or was it that they just didn't care?

 

Will Toyota steel the last remaining stronghold from Detroit the pickup truck. Can you imagine if Ford an GM lost two to three hundredthousand sales a piece to Toyota in truck sales and there truck dominace declined. My guess is that would be the nedof GM an Ford. Turn out the lights the party would be over. GM an Ford both know this an theregoing have to fight hard to hold on to there market share.

 

We screwed up by dropping the Galaxie

 

Kieth W, You are so right.
Ed G

 

Don't for one minute think that Toyota does not know what it's doing. And if you don't believe me - just ask a Toyota Truck owner at a gas station next time you see them. ---- also ask them how many miles they have on their truck -- its a sobering experience.

I have a Supercrew that has been great -- but it only has 70k on it.

buckle Up - Toyota is finally coming after the BIG trucks

 

I must be the only person in history who ever had Toyota problems. Granted, it was 15 years ago. But I used it for work (but not over-worked), and it was the most costly, least reliable vehicle I have ever owned.

 

Bick MT, there are plenty of American made trucks out there that have many miles on them. Toyota is not the god of vehicles that many people think they are. Toyota just gets a pass from the media. Everyone goes out of their way to knock American trucks, but they still have the best heavy duty trucks out there. People talk that Nissan has more HP then Ford. I buy a truck to use for work and for home use, not to race. I have a 1972 Mustang to go fast with. The Japanese trucks do not feel has strong as a Ford or Chevy. Toyotas have had their share of problems, but are overlooked. Check out some of the chat boards. I am tired of people talking about how Ford better watch out, because Toyota is coming. I say bring it on. I have owned a few Ford trucks, and a few Chevys, and I have never had any major problems with either one. Right now I have a 06 F350 dually for work, and a 06 Silverado 1500 for home use. Both work just fine. You can keep your Toyotas and Nissans, I will stay with American trucks.
Ed G

 

Yeah, but look at the 73-79 truck forum to find the busiest area of this board. Find that with a import. The new f-150 may die before my 77 but how much longer will it last than a titan etc. There is a difference in design for the companies. The ford is built to be solid and reliable and btw look nice and have some nice features. The toyota is the other direction. They appeal to different consumers. I would never buy a import truck but then I would never take my wife to a nice dinner in a truck. I also wouldn't go to pickup wood or mulch in my lincoln. Would you put 2 yards of dirt in a ridgline? I have had that much in my f-100 (1/2 ton) and never was afraid that I would get home. I bet the loader would not have put it in a toyota for fear of liability.

Different trucks different markets. Yeah, right now there is a swing toward imports but people will get tired of the lack of versatility from those and in a few years they will not be selling well and the f150 will be shattering records.

Don't get me wrong, ford needs to do something as do dodge and gm but competition will give all of better choices and quality. Look what happened in the 70's. US mfgs got complacient and japan kicked their butt. Look what happened. Ford had the #1 car/truck for most of the 80's and 90's (escort, tarus, f150). They got lazy again and now they are back where they where. I can't wait to see what their responce is. Don't forget how big of a push of the envelope the tarus was. Every car today is an outgrowth of that one. Lets see what happens in the next 5 years.