...and Toyota admits it!

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/bl...ll-size-sales/

Interesting how TCC tries to spin the story into refreshing and realistic sales targets.

I'm sure Ford or GM wouldn't have been cast in such a positive light.

 

 

Whether it was positive or not... at the end of the day their sales are still down over 60%


And irrespective, I do agree with their judgement. An F150 (or Silverado) buyer is more likely to be a "traditional" truck buyer.
A Tundra (and Titan for that matter) buyer is more likely to be a person coming from another segment, and more likely to return to that segment when economics have a greater influence on their purchase decision.

 

I see plenty of jacked-up "image" Ford, Dodge and GM trucks around here. 1st generation Tundras did not appeal to that market, but the new one did, hence the big swing in sales, up and then down. I see 1st gen Tundras mostly in "fleet" trim, white, regular cab, long bed. That includes mine.

The Titan was never even built in "fleet" or business models. Nissan just wanted the big profits like everyone else.

Jim

 

The only Tundras I see used as trucks are the parts delivery trucks of Toyota dealers. The rest, except for a few pulling campers, could be easily replaced by an economy car.

 

Not here. Landscapers, utility companies and others use them all the time for real work. What I dont understand is a SuperDuty used as a supervisor's "office" that tows only a couple of jet skis or dirt bikes on the weekend.

Jim

 

 

I have to say though - have you looked at ALL the info?

The Tundra has dropped a lot less over this year than the Silverado.

 

But California (and a couple of neighboring states)is very different than the rest of the world.

 

I've seen a few new Tundras on jobsites around KY.

Mike

 

One reason businesses with fleets of trucks do not go to Toyota or other brands is that they are equipped to work on the Fords, Chevrolets or Dodges they now have. The mechanics know how to work on them, they have the tools and parts are more reasonable. If you need a part for a Ford or GM or Dodge product, there are many reasonably priced aftermarket parts quickly available but most Toyota parts are factory only, expensive and not as quickly available. The natural inclination is to stay with what you are familar with.

 

True, and government buys trucks from Ford, GM and Chrysler on a discounted contract. Not sure with Toyota, but I've never heard of one.

Mike

 

Big fleets go with either the lowest bidder (Dodge usually winning those contracts lately) or like osbornk stated, based on fleet commonality, in other words, brand loyalty. I see very little of that brand loyalty out here. Dodge seems to also be taking the police car business away from Ford, probably on bid price.

When a small business buys one or two, they usually go to the dealer for service. You do not have your own shop, mechanic and a stock of parts.

Jim

 

It is also probably because the Charger is a MUCH better police car for the money.

 

IF it can take the abuse that a CV can, something I find highly unlikely.