Yes indeed. It sucks for the workers. But in the long run maybe this will force alternate fuel sources that don't damage the earth or reduce it and is renewable. And develop that technology towards trucks, cause people still need them, namely working trucks.
__________________
U.S. media is a systematic censorship on free speech. They don't like what they hear they don't report. Don't want to upset the political and advertising sponsors. Its so corrupted. While they don't have to agree with certain views, its their job to report and let US decide.
Wow, that's big... and quick. They sure do work fast, huh? It didn't take years, but Toyota has had the advantage of watching the Big 3 move first in this area and reading the trends.
Yes indeed. It sucks for the workers. But in the long run maybe this will force alternate fuel sources that don't damage the earth or reduce it and is renewable. And develop that technology towards trucks, cause people still need them, namely working trucks.
What I think was missing from the quoted article is the additional news that the workers will be staying on the job:
Quote:
Toyota said the workers who build its trucks and SUVs as well as the Huntsville, Ala.-based workers who build engines for the Tundra and Sequoia will stay on the job through the shutdown. The San Antonio plant employs 1,900 people, while the Princeton plant employs nearly 4,500.
Wow, that's big... and quick. They sure do work fast, huh? It didn't take years, but Toyota has had the advantage of watching the Big 3 move first in this area and reading the trends.
I am not exactly sure what you mean by quick, but Toyota's flexible manufacturing lines mean that different vehicles can be produced on the same production line (the Princeton plant produces the Camry-based Sienna and the body-on-frame Sequoia and Tundra trucks). It also means that no long downtime is required to switch from producing one vehicle to another vehicle. The Mississippi plant is still under construction, so deciding to build the Prius there instead of the Highlander is not difficult to do, and of course, made easier by flexible manufacturing.
I would not say that Toyota was following the Detroit 3, but I would agree that they were reading their own trends. (This shifting of production by Toyota had been rumoured for a while now.) They know that their own trucks and larger SUVs (like the Highlander) are not selling that well, and they lost sales because they could not keep up with the demand for the Prius. So, it seems logical to me to produce the Prius in North America.
By producing the Prius in its own dedicated plant probably means that they will be better able to respond to increases in demand than if it shared a plant with another vehicle. Furthermore, it seems logical to me that they would consolidate all body-on-frame truck production in Texas, leaving the Princeton plant as the one to produce a number of smaller-volume models, such as the Sienna and Highlander.
I don't think you understand what I mean by "following". When you have 3 huge companies that have been selling full size work trucks in a market for decades, you can't help but pay attention to what they are doing. Especially if you are smart in business, which Toyota is. I'm sure they had their own numbers, but I believe that watching the Big 3 would be a better and more "truthful" guide. The F series truck has been around for something like 40-50 years? No matter what your personal feeling, you can't tell me that a company that has been selling trucks to American cowboys and farmers for that long, doesn't have a better grasp on it's market than a company that has only sold full size trucks here for maybe ten years? As much as I LOVE Toyotas, I would never buy a Tundra as my dedicated work truck. Like I have been saying. Toyota has lost focus of what they do best. I would buy a Tacoma over a Colorado, a Camry over a Taurus, a Highlander over a Nitro, but I will buy any of the Big 3's full size trucks over a Tundra. And I just plain wouldn't buy a vehicle the size of a Sequoia, Suburban, or Excursion. I rather like the Aspen though, maybe because it's not quite so big...
I don't think you understand what I mean by "following". When you have 3 huge companies that have been selling full size work trucks in a market for decades, you can't help but pay attention to what they are doing. Especially if you are smart in business, which Toyota is. I'm sure they had their own numbers, but I believe that watching the Big 3 would be a better and more "truthful" guide. The F series truck has been around for something like 40-50 years? No matter what your personal feeling, you can't tell me that a company that has been selling trucks to American cowboys and farmers for that long, doesn't have a better grasp on it's market than a company that has only sold full size trucks here for maybe ten years? As much as I LOVE Toyotas, I would never buy a Tundra as my dedicated work truck. Like I have been saying. Toyota has lost focus of what they do best. I would buy a Tacoma over a Colorado, a Camry over a Taurus, a Highlander over a Nitro, but I will buy any of the Big 3's full size trucks over a Tundra. And I just plain wouldn't buy a vehicle the size of a Sequoia, Suburban, or Excursion. I rather like the Aspen though, maybe because it's not quite so big...
Excuse my lack of respect, but so what if the Ford F-series truck has been on the market for 40 or 50 years? That was Ford's problem -- and GM's problem also. That is what created Ford's and GM's current problems: they thought they were invincible because they had big truck nameplates that have been popular for decades. Now Toyota did not get to where they are by following THAT. Toyota got to where they are because they are very good and very careful at reading market trends, and a few years ago, the market trends were that big pickup truck would continue to be popular, so they made the decision to get into that market. Yes, they followed Ford and GM into that market, but Ford and GM have been here since the beginning, so anybody who comes later will be following them.
But, once in the market, you read your own marketing reports. If Toyota always followed Ford and GM in everything they did, Toyota would be in the same position that Ford and GM are in now, not the position of strength that they are now. Ford and GM merely cut production numbers, because they cannot afford to stop production of their trucks altogether. Toyota has decided to stop producing their big trucks altogether for 3 months.
You have just proven that the full-size pickup truck market is very, very, very brand loyal, and can be very hostile to what you would call "followers". This loyalty is very passionate, and logic alone seldom wins out over passion, so I am not even going to try. All I ask is that you respect the rights of others to be loyal to other brands.
Toyota was late to the party with their trucks and maybe the first one out too ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Camread
soo...they're putting the Tundra on ice?
Yes, the Tundra and the Sequoia are "on ice". Starting in August, Toyota will not assemble any big trucks for 3 months. Truck production begins again in November, and then in Spring 2009, all big truck production (Tundra and Sequoia) moves to San Antonio, Texas. The Princeton plant currently produces the Sequoia and Tundra, and that production will leave for Texas next spring.
Toyota has not said that it is out of the big truck market, only that they are stopping production for 3 months to cut inventory, and then cutting back production after that. Truck production starts again in November.
You misunderstood completely, but that is ok. You are talking to a guy that has owned Fords, GMs, a VW, 4 Hondas, a Mazda, and several others. But I have also owned 2 MKIII Supras, a Gen 3 Tercel, and I currently own 2 Paseos. If I'm loyal to any it's Toyota, but I love cars, and I don't discriminate. If it is good quality, with the options that I want at a price that I can afford, I will consider it. Bad thing is, GM hasn't really met all those points(namely I can't afford the cars I like from them). Sad thing is, Toyota hasn't either in the last 9 years, not for me (up until recently, Toyotas have been very bland, and they still lack a proper coupe). Unless Toyota fixes it's issues soon (add more coupes, more crossovers, RWD or AWD cars, heck a turbo here and there), I may either stick with Hyundai and of course pre-'99 Toyotas, or go to a VW or something else. Please Toyota, read these forums and see the general consensus that you have been lacking after you killed the Supra, MR2, and other cars that were actually fun to drive. Oh how I miss the old Toyota pickup, before the Taco. I'd still take an '89 turbo if somebody was willing to sell it.
. I rather like the Aspen though, maybe because it's not quite so big...
Really? Its not much smaller. Its a full-sized BOV SUV. Its just a re-badged Durango, which you probably knew. I think its ugly but I don't care for SUVs in general anyway so I guess I'm bias.
I agree with you about just being a car person. When I first got into cars all it was, was Toyota. Nothing wrong with that but as I matured in my hobby of cars I began to appreciate other makes. Heck, most of the cars I like aren't even Toyota. I like very few Toyota's now. Not to say they aren't nice, its just I wouldn't buy them. Then again it goes to that preference in a car thing. I think they should make a cheap sports car. But the thing is sales of the Celica and MR2 went down the drain. Sure they might have been priced out of market but oh well. I might venture into a different make just to change it up. Cause I'd get bored with buying the same make, not to say everyone feels the same but as a car person.
__________________
U.S. media is a systematic censorship on free speech. They don't like what they hear they don't report. Don't want to upset the political and advertising sponsors. Its so corrupted. While they don't have to agree with certain views, its their job to report and let US decide.
Last edited by ECHOKnight2000; 07-11-2008 at 07:18 PM.
I understand. I'm even thinking of picking up a 2.5RS and swapping the engine. I also need a minivan, but I need one that can haul the kids AND pull a trailer with my 92 Paseo on it. I'd settle for a small SUV too. I was thinking the FJ, but only because I can get it in a manual transmission. If the Hybrid Tahoe didn't cost so much, it would almost be perfect.
Back on topic. I wonder what bright idea Toyota is cooking up for these trucks? If I was Toyota, I would address the boxed frame complaint from the die hard truck crowd and work on making both of these trucks hybrids. The torque that a electric engine puts out would be great for pulling a trailer through the mountains. Maybe some sort of "assist" mode?
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
