I meant to post this way back, but just remembered to now. The article is by the NYTimes on how the economic slowdown has effected Toyota's Tundra production, I expect that a similar effect has occured at the Tacoma plants.
The most important part of the article is at the end... "Inspectors have found 40% fewer defects", and executives have noticed the increased quality of the trucks.
A 40% decrease is outstanding, whether that large figure carries to the Tacoma plants intact is not mentioned in this article, but even a more modest 25% decrease means the Tacomas rolling off the production line now are probably the best you'll be able to get. Just thought I'd shout that out to people thinking about picking up a Tacoma in the near future.
Ha, I might add that Tacoma production at the NUMMI plant has been cut in half, with the entire night shift being entirely suspended in November due to the economy. No clue on the Baja plant, it seemed to expand somewhat in July, but I would guess is seeing production cuts as well given Toyota's global outlook on production.
I agree that they are reliable, but that sort of thing is always relative.
In the first month of ownership my 06' TRD sport had the AC fail, and had mushy brakes and drank gas like crazy. Later on the paint started falling off the painted bumper. I sold it after a hard year with 23K miles for about 24K
In the first month of owning my 09' TRD sport it has mushy brakes and drinks gas like crazy Its now the 3rd or 4th month and I noticed a small chunk of paint had....Came off the bumper!
I dunno why. But I love these little gas guzzling, mushy brake, paint falling off the bumper trucks. I'm on my second one!
Hey zippo you are from Tonasket right? What does your Tacoma look like? I work in Omak but have to go up there almost everyday to our pond that our salmon smolts are in. I work for the tribes Fish and Wildlife
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2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed, 886 OME Coils, Bilstein 5100's (Front), Tuff Country (Rear), Allpro Leaf Springs, Custom Racks with Winch, TC UCA's
The trucks are moving slower through the plant and the employees have more time to focus on what they're doing?
This can only mean one thing.......eventually, there's gonna be job cuts. With job cuts there will be less people doing the same amount of work and less qaulified people doing different types of work.
Toyota has always been strong - but eventually, they're gonna have to start saving some $$ just like everyone else.
Or perhaps, they already got rid of the slackers and kept the dedicated caring people - and why the quality went up.
There are a few things that I don't like about this truck, but to be fair and objective, reliability has not been an issue for me. However it's kind of a funny message to put out as a company, that because of slowing sales, the manufacturing plants don't have to put trucks out as fast, and can therefore take their time and increase the quality/reliability/QC (whatever you want to call it). Two flaws here:
1. What about the people that bought trucks before the slowing demand. Did they really get Toyota quality? A company that admits quality is down doesn't inspire confidence in consumers.
2. This points to a company whose primary concern is getting product out as fast as possible. Even if it means that quality (whatever you want to call it) takes a back seat. That is contrary to what Toyota was in the past.
wish the 05's were reliable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *cough cough* motor mounts *cough*
*Note not a super fan boy of tacomas/toyotas*, but are you serious? They should take abuse yes, but not constant abuse. Who knows what you haven't video taped and posted on your own page of "youtube"
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05 4X4 DC LB TRD Sport(OME 885's, Alcan AAL,silver HL mod, 265/70/17s Firestone destination AT's)
99 Audi A4
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