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After Missing The 200,000 Mark for 2007, Toyota Says 300,000 Tundras By 2010!

Agent009 submitted on 01/07/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:37 PM
from: home.autonews.com

[35] user comments | category: Misc News

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After Missing The 200,000 Mark for 2007, Toyota Says 300,000 Tundras By 2010!

Toyota executives say they couldn't care less that the Tundra full-sized pickup fell 3,445 units short of their 200,000-unit sales goal.

But what should have them concerned is whether Tundra sales can grow enough to reach Toyota's new goal of 300,000 by 2010 in spite of continuing incentives high gas prices and a soft truck market .

Does Toyota know something we don't?

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r15mohd - 1/7/2008 1:31:15 PM

+2 Boost

"Does Toyota know something we don't?"

for the most part, yes! they've crept slowly to number one without anyone but themselves holding them back.

the tundra failing to meet sales by about 2% is nothing for them to be worried about...toyota is probably the only pick-up truck manufacturer that was able to get so close to expectations if not bettering them.

tundra will become better and steal sales as does the rest of the toyota line-up. toyota just have to make sure not to shoot themselves in the foot.

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Agent009 - 1/7/2008 1:41:58 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

Not to take anything away from Toyta's accomplishments so far.

But it didn't hurt that GM, Ford, and Chrysler were being run into the ground by management thinking only of short term goals at the same time.

Personally if GM EVER gets it's act together then They could widen the gap from Toyota. But that is a very big "IF".

Ironman273 - 1/7/2008 2:06:18 PM

+2 Boost

Yes, that didn't hurt, but the Nissan Titan didn't achieve these numbers either. I think a lot has to do with the perception that Toyota makes quality cars. Remember that everyone sees Toyotas as "appliances" which is true, and what more of an appliance than a pick-up truck? It's a vehicle you would just want to work.

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/7/2008 1:43:47 PM

+4 Boost

Good luck.

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KZ258 - 1/7/2008 2:08:29 PM

+4 Boost

Toyota is getting awfully cocky lately

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kpaxx - 1/7/2008 2:12:46 PM

+3 Boost

American trucks are of much better quality!

This is the reason toy did not meet there sales mark, and the only reason they came close was because of sales incentives. If they lower their price they will probably sell more but I think their first shot at this market was a bit of a failure. The tundra is perceived as a truck for people who don't use their truck for real work (if you don't believe this check the consensus on any of the truck boards). This image might be hard to shake.

But then again toyota has a very good marketing machine.

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Agent009 - 1/7/2008 2:17:36 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I disagree. There are several "perceived" design flaws with the Tundra making it appear that it might be inadequate. Price is a major factor but not the sole reason.

I know about half a dozen people who bought new trucks in 2007 and none even considered the Tundra. Basically it never entered their mind.

Loyalty is tough to come by in the pickup truck world, and right now Toyota hasn't earned it from the hard core.

r15mohd - 1/7/2008 3:04:47 PM

+1 Boost

i definitely disagree with you on that one kpaxx...their first attempt was a success, they pretty much met expectations. 2% isn't much to dwell on from their first real try.

a truck for the people who don't use it for real work? let's be serious, this truck wouldnt even be on the market if it wasn't capable of handling the segment requirements.

check recent reviews, caradndriver has it rated 3rd (f150 last)

w209w114 - 1/7/2008 2:42:32 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Toyota management today is full of nothing but HOT AIR. They are destroying the company's credibility.

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jeeka715 - 1/7/2008 2:50:12 PM

+6 Boost

Guys,
It's only been ONE YEAR...You can't expect a car company to shoot to #1 overnight. So what if they didn't reach their sales target by 3,445 units...

That's like saying, "I got a 98% on my test, so I got an F"...I know the 'grading scale' is not equal to how the auto industry measures success, but you get the idea.

The mindset is a little different with Japanese companies, I believe. It's a generational mindset. I would suspect that internally, they are shooting for 2-3 generations down the line to be 1:1 competitor in the truck market with the Big Boys. If that is the case, then this is a giant step forward, and it's just the first.

On the American side, and I am generalizing here, but the mindset is 'sell as much as possible, NOW'...Look at the PT Cruiser, Crossfire, 300C...Great cars when they came out, generated a lot of buzz, got some/tons of sales, and now they are all discontinued (not quite sure about the 300C's future at this point)...

This isn't Asian Trucks vs. American Cars, but more of a mindset analysis.

Here in the U.S., if you are not a smashing hit, you are considered a failure. If you do land a bullseye and are not careful, you become trendy, over saturation occurs, then public opinion/acceptance wanes, and you are onto the next trend....

Toyota (and Nissan, too) trying to get into the party just makes the American Truck makers build better trucks and that is the beauty of competition.

But I will probably get deboosted for mentioning Toyota in this way. Not a fanboy, but let's all be realistic, The Big Three still own the market hands down, and Toyota's trying to sneak into the party, and that's not a bad thing at all.

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diesselxp - 1/7/2008 3:22:42 PM

+2 Boost

JEEKA

you right!!
and with the new tundra(DIESEL)coming by 2010 is possible to make 300,000-unit right?

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DrFill2001 - 1/7/2008 4:04:42 PM

+4 Boost

Toyota needs to replace the 4.7, not that it's a bad 4.7, but the competition is up to 5.3/4 liters and 300-330HP. 0-60 in 7.7 with over 4 ton towing is very solid, doh.
The toughest part was getting through the growing pains of the first year. Recalls, market acceptance, proving it's mettle. The hard part is over.
Once the diesel comes, and the 4.7 gets upgraded, Tundra should reach Ram levels consistently.
Don't expect to see the diesel with less than 700+ lb-ft of torque, sometime early in 2010.
Toyota is all about Moving Forward.
Only one thing can stop Toyota at this point.
Toyota!
DrFill

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r15mohd - 1/7/2008 4:20:27 PM

+2 Boost

i think the 6speed comes with a 5.7L V8 if i'm not mistaken. more than capable towing capacity

2ndbimmer - 1/7/2008 5:06:39 PM

-2 Boost

I just dont like the Toyota trucks. I personally love the Fords. They are way nicer on the inside and handle great.

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1970toyotamarc - 1/7/2008 6:22:43 PM

+1 Boost

then they will definitely have learned from Ford and Chevy, because that is how those brands move their products.

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DrFill2001 - 1/7/2008 8:09:27 PM

+3 Boost

You never know....
Maybe someday they can be like the Ford clowns bragging they have the best selling truck in the world.....
Toyota alreadt has the best selling company, the best selling car this year, the best selling car last year, the best selling car the year before that, the best selling car all-time, the best selling small truck, the best selling hybrid, the best selling premium luxury car, the best selling luxury SUV.....
If I were them, I'd be pi&%ed! One title eludes them!
Toyota is a fast learner, but they can't throw money on the hood as fast as Detroit can. We're #1! We're #1! Ok, so we're the best at 2 things.
But Toyota is learning. Fast.
DrFill

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tundrahq - 1/7/2008 9:49:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Toyota will hit 250k in 08 because they're now offering de-contented fleet versions of their trucks that will take fleet sales away from the big 3. They made the mistake last year of making their trucks too nice - they thought fleet managers would be willing to pay for CD players, limited slip diffs, etc. The 08's don't make those kind of mistakes.

Fleet sales will get them half way to their goal (at least).

We've predicted that Toyota will offer a diesel and a hybrid version of the Tundra by 2010, but it sounds like they need more sales without those two options.

It's going to be tough sledding with Dodge and Ford both bringing new trucks to market next year...

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SoCalJim - 1/7/2008 9:49:52 PM

+3 Boost

Regarding the 4.7L, I'm not sure why Tundra even offers the motor. Coupled to the 5 sp, it gets worse gas mileage than the 5.7L, 6 sp combo. The 5.7L, 6 sp, has more payload cap, and can tow +-2000 lbs more than the smaller 4.7, and both motors run on 87 octane. Plus it's nice to blow Chev, Ford, Dodge, and Nissan in the weeds with the Tundra's 6.11 sec zero to 60 acceleration.

In fact I can't think of a single major category that the Tundra doesn't beat the competition. In the half ton class the Tundra has more HP, torque, 6 spd trans, more towing capacity, bigger brakes, bigger ring & pinion, and its built in America. Can't say that about Ford and Chev, they're built in Canada and Mexico.

No, I don't sell trucks; I've just done my homework. BTW, my personal cars are a Vette and Mustang.

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1970toyotamarc - 1/7/2008 10:04:42 PM

+2 Boost

Positives in Toyota's favor include an increased model lineup, a strong December result, a planned diesel, a planned hybrid, and a good number of conquest sales (about half of Tundra sales are coming from non-Toyota owners, including domestic trucks).

I can only speculate that future plans would also include an upgraded base engine V6 and V8, and if they're smart, a quick mid-cycle refresh on that interior.

This is a no-brainer. Toyota has history on its side. Ya know, it wasnt so long ago that Toyota was an also ran in car categories. Many people just assume that the Camry has always been number one car, or that Lexus has been the number one luxury brand. Camry lagged behind Accord, Taurus, and even Cavalier, Escort, Corsica, and Celebrity for years. Now it's a juggernaut. Lexus shocked the automotive world (at least in the US) by leapfrogging the Germans and domestics, seemingly out of nowhere. Toyota will be relentless in its pursuit of this goal. But hey, if they miss it by a couple thousand units, I'm sure it will be a complete failure.

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1970toyotamarc - 1/8/2008 11:31:36 AM

+2 Boost

always so nice to have your thought provoking, insightful comments. You add so much to the conversation.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/8/2008 7:44:19 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

You're saying that as if it's embarrassing that Lexus wouldn't exist without Toyota. Well, please tell me, how wouldn't they? They were CREATED BY TOYOTA. That just didn't make sense.

no1listensanyway - 1/9/2008 12:28:01 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I have no need for a pickup. But if I did, It would def be a Sierra Denali. Toyota/Nissan wouldnt even cross my mind.

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toolatetorace - 1/10/2008 12:11:33 AM

+1 Boost

what they really mean is 300K total sales for 2009/2010

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