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Is The New Tundra Destined to Stand In It's Predecessor's Shadow?

Agent009 submitted on 03/07/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 4:44 PM
from: www.autospies.com

[29] user comments | category: Misc News

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Is The New Tundra Destined to Stand In It's Predecessor's Shadow?

Flipping through the sales figures for 2007 typically shows you exactly when a new or refreshed model enters the marketplace.

Take for example the new Infiniti G35 up a startling 21.8% over last year and the Nissan Altima up an impressive 26.3% for the first two months. No suprises here as both obvious improvements on a proven formula.

Now I moved over to the depressed truck marketplace and see that Chevy Sierra sales up 17.7%, and even the older Dodge Ram manage a 2.6% increase in sales for the year. Hey, American workers still need their trucks.

But how is the market reacting to the Tundra? I quickly scanned to the line and to my surprise a 20.1% DECREASE so far this year. How could that be? At that pace they may muster 100,000 at best, almost 25,000 units shy for the year.

Has Toyota met it's match in cracking the elusive American truck market?

We doubt that is the case, but it seems the intensely loyal American truck buyer is taking a wait and see on the new kid in town.

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EL34 - 3/7/2007 5:22:58 PM

+3 Boost

Poor Tundra can't help it, it's so ugly.

*cries*

reply to this comment

komododave - 3/7/2007 5:25:29 PM

+1 Boost

The new Tundra has lost, not once, but twice in comparisons to the new Chevy Silverado. I'm not surprised by this at all. It's too big for most Toyota people, and completely annaihalates their "Green" company image. Most people bought the old Tundra because it was less bulky than the big work trucks from the GM and Ford and just the right size for people who didn't need a big truck but wanted more than a Tacoma. There will be significant rebates by fall, mark my words. Note to the editor, that would be the Chevrolet Silverado, not Chevy Sierra though I believe the author meant it as some kind of backhanded joke.

reply to this comment

Designer1 - 3/7/2007 6:44:48 PM

+1 Boost

It lost because of price only, $4k more. But, what they didn't mention about the silverado is why was the price difference. So lets see.

1. They compared a Silverado with no navigation system with one in Tundra.
2. They forgot the Tunndra offers MUCH more power to the Silverado.
3. More options in the Tundra.
4. More quality and reliability.
5. Much better looking, its a monster for God's sake.

If all that is for $4k only, then I don't know how can the idiot editors say the Silverado wins.
In short, everyone is afraid of the new Tundra and trying anything and everything to make it look and sound bad. But lets not forget another thing, its been in the market for only 1 month, maybe less. Don't get too excited that it won't compete. But remember, the older and smaller Tundra competed against bigger and more powerful trucks, this one will just kick their asses.

Agent001 - 3/7/2007 6:47:37 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

It's the best award money can buy! ;)

001

komododave - 3/7/2007 8:28:13 PM

+1 Boost

alright, as a response to your list, let me read the article again....hmmm...right here, and I quote, "...but the silverado's cabin looks classier and - praise be!-just as well built." "...but the Silverados styling is crisper, cleaner, and more sophisticated." To sum up their thoughts on the power, they liked that it had more power, but getting that power to the ground was frustrating due to Toyota's penchant for electronic nannies that won't go away. They had to lock the 4x4 system to actually get the truck to post numbers. They didn't forget the power, as you so insulted. This wasn't really a fare matchup I will admit, but you can still get a very good idea about a vehicle from driving the top end models. They had a lot of praise for both vehicles, but value is very important, too. Both trucks had one ups on the other, so it came down to the value, and I completely agree considering pricing in the dealerships is much more agressive at a GM dealership. As for the actual price, check out the base price for both models, there is a 3600 dollar gap there as well, and the toyota doesn't have more features at it's base price. Even if the toyota was the next step down engine (base $37,935) or the Chevy was the next step up engine (base $36,500) the chevy is still 2 or 3 grand cheaper.

Ohh, and if there is so much good quality in the Tundra, why does the chevy have such a significantly longer warranty?

paul3230 - 3/8/2007 1:06:59 AM

+2 Boost

Come one guys..you have to admit, GM didn't just sit back and let Toyota take over the market with the new Tundra. They actually, brought a highly competitive product to the marketplace and toyota (gasp!) will actually have to fight for ever sale in this segment.

komododave - 3/8/2007 2:14:27 PM

+1 Boost

here here, well said paul3230.

1970toyotamarc - 3/8/2007 3:51:34 PM

+1 Boost

The Tundra won the Edmunds comparo

Rupert - 3/7/2007 6:13:38 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

I don't like pick-ups in general, and this one is the most bloated and massive of the lot, it seems to me. And you're right, it's completely against toyota's environmental image. Getting rid of all the tundras would probably save more gas than all the priuses they make.

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/7/2007 6:22:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

What are you smoking, 009?

No, it's not as good as the Silverado, but it's a real TRUCK! The old one couldn't say the same thing.

I think they'd ramp up production eventually.

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no1listensanyway - 3/7/2007 6:36:03 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Im not sure how accurate this is, but I can understand why its not selling. From what I read about it, it seems 5.7L engine is the only strong quality that it has over the competition. To obtain that engine you have to go top trim line and that gets expensive. The Chevy has very flexible packaging and other then powertrain it exceeds the Tundra in every aspect. I dont care what anyone says but that interior is nasty, its looks confused. Don't forget American truck buyets are very loyal. Lets face it GM did a great job.

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BimmerFan - 3/7/2007 7:37:44 PM

0 Boost

Ricemeister...what are you smoking?

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no1listensanyway - 3/7/2007 7:46:26 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Wow, Im not even going to respond.

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komododave - 3/7/2007 8:34:19 PM

-1 Boost

hrmmm...i just accidentally boosted you instead of dropping you. Just thought I'd let you know. Comparing loyalty to racism is ludicris. Are you loyal to America or are you racist of every other country? Are you loyal to your friends or do you just hate everyone else. Geeze, I don't even know what to say.

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BimmerFan - 3/8/2007 3:02:11 AM

0 Boost

EDIT: RiceMasters post has been deleted so the above comment does not make sense now. I actually like the new Tundra. In addition to Bimmers, we have a new Toyota FJ Cruiser and we absolutely love it.

reply to this comment

Rupert - 3/8/2007 11:09:39 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

what did ricemaster say?
he usually says crap.

7mgte - 3/7/2007 8:00:37 PM

0 Boost

The new Tundra is technically a great truck, but they forgot one thing. Style. The new Tundra is UGLY. The Silverado will have the HP advantage again once the Denali version comes out with the 6.2L V8 packing 380-400hp and finally a six-speed transmission. The interior quality is actually better in the Chevy/GMC trucks. I've looked at the Tundra and it's shiny plastic everywhere. Let face it, GM couldn't afford to get this truck wrong, and they didn't.

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huu76 - 3/7/2007 8:00:51 PM

+4 Boost

If my bosses at work are any indication, it'll take some time. They were all Chevy buyers but they were impressed by the last Tundra's turning circle, quality etc and now they all drive one. The last one was targeting more the occasional trucker in my opinion.

The new Tundra targets the hardcore truck drivers, so they're probably a harder nut to crack. But who knows, I'm not a truck driver.

If Toyota sticks to its guns and hangs tough for the long haul, I think they'll grab a significant share of the market (20% possibly).

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Mark - 3/7/2007 9:59:16 PM

+1 Boost

It is possible if they stick through the bad times. They have a good truck they just haven't gotten a good "Hook" yet as they say in the music business. [not in the music business]

pchera01 - 3/8/2007 12:10:31 AM

+2 Boost

its plain UGLY,IMO

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germeezy2 - 3/8/2007 1:13:26 AM

0 Boost

Yeah the Tundra has much more power. A whopping 14 more than the Silverado 6.0 vs 5.7. Lets not forget that the Toyota which unlike Nissan with the standard 5.6 Endurance V8 in the Titan will also come with the 4.7 and 4.0 six. The 5.3 compares very well to the 4.7. And lets not forget for the price difference you can step up to the Sierra with the 403 hp/417 lb ft 6.2 which does trump Toyota. The Titan as good as it is flopped and it was better than the competition when it came out.

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SupraNeverBack - 3/8/2007 2:43:13 PM

+1 Boost

Toyota uses one engine, the 381hp/401 lb.ft 5.7L to kill GM's three, 5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L together.

With 4 second delay, the 403hp/417lb.ft 6.2L looks good on paper, but will be worse than Tundra's 5.7L on wheels!

montyz81 - 3/8/2007 10:36:51 AM

+1 Boost

I wouldn't say the Titan is a flop. 80k/year is not bad for any car. In the truck market maybe its a flop but it is still a dman good truck and a much better first attempt then Toyota had. Hell its a much better second attempt then Toyota too. I wouldn't count the Titan out just yet. The restyled Titan coming out in 2010 will be better then the current Tundra and will further the Titans stance in the market place. Just wait, I predict that by 2015 Ford and GM will be worried about the Tundra and Titan(I suspect dodge will not have an entry by then as all of Chrysler will be sold at auction by the end of 2008). BTW: Take a look at who won the comparison for Trucks in the last issue of Popular Mechanics. http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4212506.html

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1970toyotamarc - 3/8/2007 3:58:10 PM

+1 Boost

When I was at the Longo dealership (largest Toyota dealership in the world), there were 2 or 3 Tundras (and no 2006 models) on the lot, and one was being sold while I was picking up my new Prius. Now I'm sure they had overstock somewhere. But I was at two other dealers shopping for my Prius, and it was the same story, just a couple Tundras each. The fact is, the dealers just dont have the product yet. Calling it a sales flop after 3 weeks is a bit of wishful thinking.

The truck is amazing, class-leading power and towing, better fuel economy, bold style. It's the perfect truck for anyone who isn't stuck in their Ford-Chevy world. And that's a lot of people.

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1970toyotamarc - 3/8/2007 3:59:39 PM

+1 Boost

oh, i didnt notice, this was a 009 article. Its been a while since we've had one of these blatant anti-Toyota tirades, nice to have you back in form. all is normal in the world again.

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kdanielshou - 3/8/2007 7:12:10 PM

+1 Boost

I'm in the market for a new truck, and the Toyota along with the GMC are the ones I've been looking at. one of the reasons the Toyota may not be selling is people like myself maybe waiting for the Crew Max to hit the streets. the Double cab is larger than the other manufacturers extended cab offerings but smaller than their crew cabs.And crew cabs are what sells.

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2JZSoarer - 3/9/2007 12:28:33 AM

+1 Boost

I think people are waiting for the Tundra Crew Max to be release in april,thats why it's not selling well,the Crew Max has a bigger cab than the Dodge Megacab Ram!!

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rocker - 3/9/2007 12:59:23 PM

+1 Boost

Locally, they are already putting Tundras on special. There is a $299/month lease. That doesn't sound good.

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germeezy2 - 3/10/2007 3:25:32 PM

+1 Boost

Yeah sales are down 20% maybe they are not doing so good?

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