Toyota considering exporting big trucks
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota Tundra.
The Toyota Tundra is the most competent pickup Toyota has ever produced, but the two-year-old truck has been hit hard by the harsh reality of the US auto slump. Gas prices and a sluggish housing industry have conspired to put a wet blanket on the Tundra party, and the San Antonio plant will be closed from August 8 until mid-November to allow dealers to clear out Tundra inventory. When the Texas plant does come back online, a portion of its production could wind up overseas.
At the Management Briefing Seminars, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky Inc. President Steve St. Angelo said some Tundras and Sequoias could be produced in the US and shipped overseas. While markets like Europe and Asia aren't likely to turn to trucks and SUVs in large numbers, both the Tundra and Sequoia could be a welcomed addition in the Middle East, where cheap gas prices makes big vehicles more acceptable. While the overseas truck market isn't likely to produce huge demand for the Tundra and Sequoia, the currently untapped markets could help the San Antonio plant come closer to running at its peak efficiency.
Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited
Gallery: 2008 Toyota Sequoia
[Source: Auto News (subs req'd)]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
montoym 6:13PM (8/11/2008)
Hmm, I thought Toyota was supposed to have had the foresight to not have let something like this happen.
Weren't they supposed to know gas prices would double in the 2yrs since the new Tundra came about?
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MONTE 6:20PM (8/11/2008)
They built a truck for one market and didn't expect that maybe, just maybe, that might bite them in the ass later? Good thinking Toyota going for the big gas truck when everyone here just wants small diesel ones and we'll be happy.
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mpken 7:09PM (8/11/2008)
uumm, maybe the American execs at TMS convinced TM to build the truck for the fat margins that they used to get? Maybe?
MONTE 7:41PM (8/11/2008)
There ya go, God knows Japan could never make a mistake.
ken_aisin 6:29PM (8/11/2008)
Export them to Venezuela too. Hugo is selling gas for 12 cents a gallon there.... 12 cents a gallon, that's even cheaper than bottled water.
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Phatcat 9:39AM (8/23/2008)
unfortunately the avg citizen makes 12 cents an hour
lee warren 6:25PM (8/11/2008)
I've got a novel idea. Why doesn't Toyota close the San Antonio truck plant altogether. We have enough truck plants in the US to more than meet demand and the Tundra is just a wantabe anyway. Why it sold as well as it did is just mind boggling to me. Besides being UGLY on the outside, the interior is just laughable. Good-riddens.
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jonathan 9:42PM (8/11/2008)
Toyota made one mistake in developing the tundra. GM does not have any cars to compete against Toyota (read the GM executives comment that they have never develped a decent small car). GM is going bankrupt while Toyota is sitting on piles of cash. GO FIGURE WHO IS SMARTER!
stratojet 9:56PM (8/11/2008)
The Tundra was Jim Press's creation and trophee. Jim Press has a typical infatuated US executive ego. He said when this truck was launched that it was so big and enomous that it could create a solar eclipse!
Of course, the market for this type of vehicle is very profitable: Toyota just overdid it. On top of this, they missed the target by aiming at the most powerful, meanest and largest truck in the segment.
To go back at Jim Press: Toyota does not like arrogance and larger than life ego. This is why they promoted him on the board of directors, away from the action , where he could not do any more damages. This is why he left. So , in essence, the Tundra is an egomaniac creation that did not get the habitual success which Toyota is used to. Another chink in the armor.
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wagonphile 7:31AM (8/12/2008)
So here we have a huge investment in a key product line of one of the largest and most successful auto manufacturers in the world, and you're saying ONE MAN'S arrogance is responsible for it? That's laughable. Even if it was Press's baby, Toyota isn't the type of company that lets one person (much less an American) run the show. Toyota is a great company, but it's not infallible.
Nick 11:38PM (8/11/2008)
Tundra is fat, bloated, ugly, has an overkill dash and an unfinished end, plus a horrendous fuel consumption.
Hope Toyota gets the lesson.
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tanooki2003 10:01AM (8/12/2008)
Gee Mr. Toyota hater. You have forgotten to include Ford, Dodge, and Chevy in that category as well, or have you forgotten they make huge fuel sucking, ugly inside-out trucks as well?
Jim 7:54AM (8/12/2008)
Lack of sales couldn't have anything to do with the half-dozen or so recalls could it?!
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f650 9:29AM (8/12/2008)
Have lexus do the interior and sell them in UAE for triple the MSRP. Instant sales!
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CmpingSmktrd 7:01PM (8/13/2008)
You sir, are a genius.
I know tons of people in the Middle East that would want Toyota's big trucks.
Hell, bring the derivatives too esp. the FJ Cruiser. I know Saudis that have already imported them. Ridiculous