http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/13/h...ay-not-happen/

 

A turbodiesel is a must to enter the HD pickup market. I havent seen any solid news on that front, so a HD Tundra is a long way off, if ever. Just putting the 5.7 gas engine in a 9000lb GVW truck would be a big mistake. Yes, the standard gas engines in the big 2.5's HD offerings are similar, but diesels are in much higher demand, and produce the big profits.

The boxed frame comment is completely bogus, as bigger trucks use C-section frames.
An "Auto" blog may forgiven for not understanding that issue, since "car like" ride and handling seems to be a goal in the light duty market.

Jim

 

The article makes since to me - fix what you have first before proceeding to something else. In Toyota's case they needed a 'flawless' launch. From what I have see it's been pretty good but not flawless. The frame thing - once it's been out for awhile with no problems it'll be a non-issue. On the other hand I wouldn't have marketed a 1/2 ton vehicle the same way domsetics are marketing 3/4 ton truck and up which is basically what they are doing.

 

Sounds like a smart idea on Toyota's part. Perfect the 1/2 ton before you make a 3/4 ton.
It wont be hard for them to come up with a diesel engine. They have a partnership with Isuzu that came into being when Toyota bought GM's share in Isuzu last year. Toyota has plans for Isuzu to build diesel engines for them. Considering the experience that Isuzu has with building diesel engines (example: the Duramax), I dont see them having a hard time coming up with a competitive engine.
I wouldnt read too much into that article, they are putting the HD on hold until they get the bugs worked out of the current Tundra and in typical Toyota fashion, you can bet they will have the bugs worked out by the time the '08 Tundras come out.
The '05 Tacomas had issues, but Toyota fixed all those issues on the '06s. I see no reason why the Tundra will be any different.

 

Must be a misprint. Toyota is perfect. The people that drive them are perfect. I bet the Tundra can float on water.

 

Are you sure about this article? I mean where did this spy photo come from then...

 

thats funny!

 

Old News. Toyota announced late last year they were not entering the 3/4 and larger market. Their official press release stated that the market was "owned" by Ford and GM.


The assembly plant that Toyota acquired in Indiana as part of their Isuzu deal with GM will be used to build Camry's.


Anyone can post on autoblog. Half the crappola I read there is false, and most of the rest is flawed. It's sites like this where all the rumors start.


There are Toyota sites similar to FTE. Go to one of those if you want the correct info. These sites are not owned by Toyota, but are sanctioned by Toyota. One is: tundratalk.com

 

I don't think Toyota will enter the Heavy Duty market because of the difficulty in entering the commercial market. Many fleets have their own mechanics, parts department and garages. The mechanics are trained to work on the brands in their fleet and their parts and tools are tailored to those brands. A company would be reluctant to change their fleet to Toyota because of the expense involved to retrain the mechanics and purchase tools and parts specifically needed for Toyota. Beyond that, Toyota repair and replacement parts are not inexpensive and they are not widely available aftermarket as they are with Ford, GM and Dodge.

 

ford chevy and dodge are struggling period in sales and cannot count on truck sales alone to keep them afloat, if not corrected there may be room in the future for toyota to enter the hd department.

hopefully none of the big three will go anywhere though, and correct the issues they have at task.

 

The fleet market is not where the big profits are, its the recreational buyers that want leather seats, etc. Unfortunately, fuel prices are more likely to kill off that market.

Most of what you state about mechianic training, special tools, etc. apply more to the bigger stuff anyway, not the 1 ton and under class. There are significant numbers of the older Tundras in fleet use here in CA, but maybe not elsewhere, mostly smaller businesses, but also utility companies, more than you see Dodge pickups. The Japanese already dominate the next class up in diesel tilt-cab box trucks, even if the nameplate might say GMC or Chevrolet. Dodge completely aboandoned that market many years ago.

Jim

 

...and ugly