Autoblog

Toyota extends Tundra rust recall to include 2000-03 models, totalling 110,000 trucks

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:27:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

If you've been following the Toyota Tundra rust saga, you're aware that NHSTA recently requested data from Toyota about the purported frame corrosion affecting 2000 and 2001 models. Today, Toyota has extended that recall to include the 2002-03 model years, saying that a small number of trucks could suffer from frame corrosion that could cause the spare tire to detach from its underbody housing. That brings the total up to 110,000 Tundras located in 20 cold-weather states and the District of Columbia.

Toyota will begin an inspection program next month which will run through January of 2010, and if you're driving one of the affected pickups, you can get all the details in the press release below the fold. Hat tip to Mike from Pickuptrucks.com.

Continue reading Toyota extends Tundra rust recall to include 2000-03 models, totalling 110,000 trucks

Toyota extends Tundra rust recall to include 2000-03 models, totalling 110,000 trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod kinda cool misses the bullseye

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:39:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Truck, Japan, Toyota, Specialty

Toyota Tundra Hot Rod - Click above for high-res image gallery

Yeah... Toyota is painting this one as a what-would-happen if Tundras existed back during the hot rodding heyday of the 1950s. We'll let you draw your own conclusions about that. However, we would like to take this opportunity to point out that the grill would have been chrome, not matte. And odds are they would have lowered the truck a bit more, right?

Also, whatever aerodynamic advantage gained with the moon disk hubs is negated (and then some) by the giant wing mirrors. All that smack talked, an actual Japanese take on American hot rods would be welcome -- maybe next year. Full press release -- and perhaps a better explanation -- after the jump.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod ~~kinda cool~~ misses the bullseye

SEMA 2009: Toyota Tundra Hot Rod ~~kinda cool~~ misses the bullseye originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NHTSA launches probe into 2000-2001 Toyota Tundra frame rust claims

Chris Shunk — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Safety, Toyota

Coming hard on the heels of its largest U.S. recall in history is news suggesting that Toyota could again face the wrath of the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. That's because the government agency is finally turning its eyes on the frame rust problem for 2000-2001 Toyota Tundras, a problem that has lit up owner forums for years. Toyota is no stranger to frame rust issues, as it has also extended the rust warranty of 1995-2000 Tacoma trucks and has even offered to buy back the trucks in 20 cold weather states at 1.5 times their Kelley Blue Book values. 2001 to 2004 Tacomas are already eligible for supplemental corrosion protection and replacement frames if necessary, but Toyota will not buy the newer trucks back.

The latest probe by NHTSA involves 218,000 Tundras from the 2000 and 2001 model year, as the government safety organization has reportedly received 20 reports of frames that have rusted to the point where some serious problems occurred. Five of the reports were for brake lining ruptured on the driver's side "rear crossmember at upper shock mount." The other 15 reported incidences involved spare tires which separated from the rear crossmember as the result of excessive rust. Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies told The Detroit News that the frame rusting problem is so severe that the "bottom can collapse." We take that as meaning that the frame of the Tundra truck can collapse under its own weight due to advanced tinworm.

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons told the DN that the company is aware of the issue and is conducting an investigation of its own. The Japanese automaker claims that the frames were built by the same supplier which built the potentially defective Tacoma models, so we're thinking a similar issue could be a real possibility. Since the investigation is ongoing, Toyota has yet to officially accept blame for the issue, nor has it offered to repair or replace any defective frames. If NHTSA's investigation determines that 2000 and 2001 Tundra frames are defective due to excessive corrosion, the world's largest automaker may not have a choice. Hat tips to Rene and Alex.

[Source: The Detroit News]

NHTSA launches probe into 2000-2001 Toyota Tundra frame rust claims originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Toyota trucks - Nothing soft gets in

Dan Roth — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Toyota, Australia

Click above to view the video after the jump

Toyota made plenty of noise with the beefy commercials that launched the latest Tundra, but since then, it's been relatively quiet from the "Oh, what a feeling!" guys and gals.

Thankfully, there's Australia. For the AU market, Toyota's agency has whipped up a witty campaign that depicts our kind of land, and our kind of trucks. This "Nothing Soft Gets In" spot shows a particularly strict bunch of border patrol guards that dispose of poodles and disallow the tying of a sweater around one's neck. Awesome. Watching a bunch of Oz-market Toyota Prados being used for more than mall duty is equally entertaining, too. Check it out for yourself, after the jump.

[Source: Toyota via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Toyota trucks - Nothing soft gets in

VIDEO: Toyota trucks - Nothing soft gets in originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Toyota Dealer Training: 2007 Tundra

Jonny Lieberman — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:16:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Japan, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Work, Toyota

Still from 2007 Toyota Dealer Training clip - click above image to watch the video

Over the past couple of weeks, we've shown you the did-not-age-well 1989 Ford dealer training videos, and the completely laughable + hopeless late-Eighties Chevrolet dealer training clips. Interestingly, in the waning years of Ronald Reagan's America, the domestics weren't doing so bad. The Big Three still had over 70% of the U.S. market and sentiments like, "Mazda! Not in my parking lot" still existed in cities outside of Detroit. Fast-forward twenty years and, well, you know the story. Ford mortgaged the farm to keep the lights on while General Motors and Chrysler sought government shelter. Meanwhile, Toyota is the largest automaker in the world, bar none, though these days Volkswagen's nipping at their heels. And we'd bet that you've owned at least one "import."

Here we have a Toyota dealer training video from just two short years ago. In it, a Dan Cortez-style host tells a trailer-towing Tundra dealer/driver to "take off like a bat out of hell" and then engage the ABS (panic stop) with his hands off the wheel. And yeah, the Tundra is an impressive truck in the video. As the host says, "The domestics were asleep at the wheel." And you could make that argument in 2007. Too bad for Toyota that Ford came out with the 2008 F-150 and Dodge followed up with the 2009 Ram. Full video after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Toyota Tundra

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Toyota Dealer Training: 2007 Tundra

VIDEO: Toyota Dealer Training: 2007 Tundra originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Toyota moving Tacoma production to San Antonio

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota, UAW/Unions

Now that Toyota has decided the fate of the NUMMI plant, the company has to decide where to move production of the Tacoma and Corolla models built there. The Corolla hasn't been spoken for yet, but Toyota is confirming that its Tacoma line is moving to the San Antonio factory that currently makes the Tundra pickup.

Toyota will spend $100 million on tooling for the Tacoma, and city and county officials guess that annual units will number about 100,000. It is also estimated that 1,100 new hires will be added to the factory employment rolls, which includes the 21 suppliers on the campus. Building the new truck will give the plant the second shift it's been missing since last summer, when it went down to a single shift as auto sales declined.

For the NUMMI workers, Toyota's announcement only makes the finality all the more real. Discussions with NUMMI laborers remains ongoing, and it has been mentioned that Toyota could move some California workers to Texas. However, with San Antonio offering tax breaks based on hiring some local workers, the chances of that are probably slim. Thanks for the tip, Tony.

[Source: My San Antonio]

REPORT: Toyota moving Tacoma production to San Antonio originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Toyota Tundra finally earns its fifth star... but how?

Chris Shunk — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Safety, Toyota

2010 Toyota Tundra Platinum Package - click above for high-res gallery

When Toyota crashed the domestic automakers' pickup party with the arrival of the 2007 Tundra, the truck-buying public took notice. Bad news struck the Tundra from the start, though, as heavy rebates were needed to move the new truck, and numerous quality issues were reported. Toyota has since addressed those issues, but one problem has continued to follow the truck: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Tundra a four star rating for front driver and passenger collisions, denoting a 11-20% chance of serious injury in a 35 mph crash. That's one fewer star than the competition from Dodge, Chevy, and Ford, and a big-time marketing disadvantage for Toyota. The four star rating became a bit more puzzling when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Tundra a Top Safety Pick for 2008. Toyota seemed dumbfounded as to why its truck received a four star rating, but the Japanese automaker may have received some vindication for the 2010 model year.

The star power of the Tundra has finally been amped up for the new model year, as NHTSA is now giving the Double Cab and Crew Max configurations of the truck a five star rating. The regular cab Tundra hasn't been tested. There have been several changes to the 2010 Tundra, including interior and exterior updates, plus a new 310 horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine. Pickuptrucks.com contacted Toyota to see what structural changes were made to the Tundra to improve its crash test scores, and Toyota reportedly told the website that no structural changes to the trucks frame were made, and no safety enhancements have been added. Interesting.

[Source: Pickuptrucks]

REPORT: Toyota Tundra finally earns its fifth star... but how? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Performance Test: 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD

Drew Phillips — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Toyota

Click above for a high-res image gallery of the Toyota Tundra TRD

We don't do much performance testing of the vehicles we review here at Autoblog, partly because we don't have the resources and also because our seat-of-the-pants-meter usually gives us the pertinent information we need about how a car (or truck, in this case) performs. There are times, however, that we do get the urge to get real, actual numbers. Take, for instance, this 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD. Last month, Motor Trend put it to the test and claimed it could muscle its way from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. While we have no doubt that this time could theoretically be achieved assuming unlimited amounts of traction, we called shenanigans and vowed to get our hands on the truck to record our own numbers. Fortunately, Toyota was game and provided the same exact Tundra TRD used in Motor Trend's test with a fresh set of rear tires. We're not here to debate the point of a performance truck or argue with those who think vehicles like this are the cause of global warming. We just want to see what it'll really run. So along with our pal Mike Levine of PickupTrucks.com, we set out to play drag racer for a day and find out. Read on to see the results.

Gallery: Performance Test: 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD

Continue reading Performance Test: 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD

Performance Test: 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota will debut Tundra Work Truck Package in San Diego

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Toyota

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Toyota Tundra Work Truck Package

One glaring omission in the range of Tundra trim levels is a stripper model suitable for duty as a basic work truck. Toyota will change all that at this year's San Diego Auto Show (Dec. 31, 2008 to Jan. 4, 2009) when the 2010 Toyota Tundra Work Truck Package debuts. Like any good work truck, a Tundra with the Work Truck Package is decontented enough to guarantee that your employees don't enjoy the drive too much. All the chrome on the Tundra's exterior has been replaced with black plastic, including the front and rear bumpers and grille, the latter of which has been slightly revised with a two-bar design. The side view mirrors are only manually adjustable, the bench seat is upholstered in washable vinyl, the floor is rubber and the dash is all black plastic. Cruise control and remote keyless entry are also gone as standard features. Available on Regular and Access Cab models in standard and long bed configurations with your choice of a V6 or V8 engine, the Work Truck Package will lower the price of your Tundra by as little as $550 and as much as $665. While not exactly the most exhilarating debut this auto show season, Toyota no doubt sees the benefit of broadening the Tundra's appeal to businesses that get their hands dirty.

Gallery: Toyota Tundra Work Truck Package

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Toyota will debut Tundra Work Truck Package in San Diego originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pickuptrucks.com picks best truck in 2008 Half-Ton Shootout

John Neff — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck

When Mike Levine at Pickuptrucks.com sets his mind to something, it gets done in a big way. Witness last year's 2007 Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck Shootout. This year he's back with a comparison test that bests his previous effort not only in size and scope, but also in relevance. For 2008 he has assembled every player in the half-ton truck segment, including brand new 2009 models of the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan and a 2008 Toyota Tundra. Despite the sagging economy, Americans still love us some trucks, and we've never encountered a more thorough comparison of their performance, towing abilities and fuel economy than what Mike has published at Pickuptrucks.com. Consider it the bible of half-ton pickup comparison shopping and have it pre-loaded on your iPhone when you start visiting dealerships.

We're not going to tell you which pickup won, but we will say that it was remarkable to learn how varied are the targets at which each of these trucks is aiming. Some were great for one task while failing miserably at another, and the winner was the one that performed well the most often. Click the source link below to check out the Pickuptrucks.com 2008 Half-Ton Shootout.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Pickuptrucks.com picks best truck in 2008 Half-Ton Shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota to Tundra factory workers: Get thee to a park!

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

As reported recently, even though Toyota halted Tundra production for a while, the company pledged not to lay off its workers. At a total cost of potentially $1 billion to the company, Toyota instead placed the employees in retraining and civic works programs during a Kaizen and Development Period.

What kinds of civic programs? One of them, in San Antonio, is called the City-Toyota Green Clean-Up Project, which has put up to 340 workers on the streets to "clean, paint, and plant." Factory staffers have painted curbs, picnic tables and trash cans, trimmed trees and plants, and cleaned up lots. While employees do want to get back to the factories, they're enjoying the time away and being able to give back to the city -- all the while earning their regular wages and benefits.

A second round of city improvement will begin next month. After that, Toyota expects to have all hands on deck again at the factory in November, building 2009-model-year Tundras. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: My SA News]

Toyota to Tundra factory workers: Get thee to a park! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota lays off 200 temp workers at Tundra plant

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota Tundra

The full-size pickup truck woes continue to worsen, leaving even mighty Toyota little choice but to slow production of its Tundra model. In fact, Toyota's brand new plant in San Antonio that was built just for the Tundra will be shutting down a total of 14 days between now and October. Full-time workers at the plant will be able to use vacation days, take the time off unpaid or find something else at the plant to do while the assembly line is halted.

Unfortunately, temp-to-hire workers aren't so lucky. Two-hundred employees who were hoping to land full-time positions at the plant will be laid off this summer. Toyota spokesman Mike Goss says, "We have a very long-term view of that factory in Texas. We're trying not to overreact. We're trying not to shut it down." Whoa... back up. Shut it down? We hadn't heard any such thing until it was spoken by Goss. Sounds like things are just as bad for Toyotas with beds as they are for pickups from Detroit. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited

[Source: AP via My San Antonio]

Toyota lays off 200 temp workers at Tundra plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota delays U.S. crossover plant

Michael Harley — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing

Sluggish market conditions in the United States are the reason Toyota Motor Corp. is slowing down the launch of its new Highlander crossover plant in Tupelo, Mississippi. Originally scheduled to open in late 2009 with production at 150,000 vehicles per year, Toyota will instead begin production in May 2010 with an expected reduced annual output of 120,000 units a year. Of course, that number will increase if U.S. market conditions improve.

While the slowing economy is a leading reason for the delay, Toyota officials also confirmed that they are facing difficulty hiring skilled labor for the Tupelo project. They are now recruiting from around the country to fill positions in maintenance, along with tool and die engineers. Toyota expects to employ 2,000 workers at Tupelo. This isn't the first time Toyota has faced recruiting issues. When they opened San Antonio in 2004 and 2005, they found themselves challenged to staff the Tundra pickup plant. The Texas plant recently made headlines when Toyota slowed production of the Tundra. For the fiscal year, Toyota is forecasting operating profits to decline by 29-percent.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Toyota delays U.S. crossover plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 May 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Trouble at the top? Toyota vehicles sitting longer on dealer lots

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Scion, Toyota

Although Toyota has recently claimed the title of the World's Largest Automaker in terms of global sales, the Japanese-giant is finding out that life at the top isn't all it's cracked-up to be. While the Camry, Corolla, Yaris and Prius sedans are reportedly brisk movers, the same thing cannot be said about Toyota's line of trucks and sport utility vehicles. Toyota has cut Tundra and Sequoia production already, but dealers are still declining to purchase them, pushing the number of unclaimed units to an all-time high. Automotive News quotes an unnamed Toyota dealer as saying, "Last month, Southeast Toyota had 9,700 vehicles that had been turned down twice by dealers and are either sitting at the port or at sea. That's a significant number." Right now, Toyota/Scion has a high 58-day supply of available inventory on hand.

Some dealers, though, see the high number of available units as a blessing-in-disguise. "We've been asking for more inventory for two years and now we finally got it. This is a great opportunity. You have to take it when you can get it," says Steve Cain, general manager of Lewis Toyota-Scion in Topeka, Kansas. Regardless of your viewpoint, we expect that Toyota will align itself with market realities in order to bring production in line with actual sales sooner rather than later. In other words, if you've been in the market for a Toyota truck, chances are good you'll get a decent deal.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Trouble at the top? Toyota vehicles sitting longer on dealer lots originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Supercharged TRD Tundra will make 504 horsepower

Drew Phillips — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Toyota

High horsepower trucks have come and gone. The SVT Lightning and Ram SRT10 are but two examples, but we miss the GMC Syclone something fierce, as well. Toyota is readying its TRD supercharger for the Tundra, which should help sate those who hunger for extra horsepower in their truck. An employee of Toyota of El Monte, California and member of TundraSolutions.com revealed on his forum that TRD reps brought a Sequoia to his dealership equipped with the TRD supercharger mounted on the large SUV's 5.7-liter V8 - the same V8 in the Tundra. Not only did he say that TRD claimed a rating of 504 horsepower, an increase of 123 over the stock engine, but he also got the opportunity to ride shotgun while one of his fellow employees took it for a road test. He even brought back the above picture as proof. Visit the Tundra Solutions forum to see the details of the kit and read about the test drive.

[Source: Tundra Solutions via PickupTruck.com]

Supercharged TRD Tundra will make 504 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota may move all Tundra production to Texas

Michael Harley — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited

As of today, production of the Tundra full-size pickup is split between Toyota's facility in Princeton, Indiana, and the automaker's brand new San Antonio plant in Texas. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Toyota is considering moving all production of the Tundra to just the Texas plant. Just over two weeks ago, Toyota announced it was slowing production on the Tundra (and Sequoia) due to lagging sales. The move to consolidate all Tundra manufacturing in one location may be seen as a sign Toyota only expects to sell 200,000 full-size units or less this year, as that number represents the production capacity of the Texas facility. You may remember that Toyota boldly claimed it would sell 200,000 units of the Tundra in 2007, the newly redesigned truck's first year of sales. It missed that target, but not by much with 196,555 units sold. Toyota hasn't officially commented on the rumor yet, but we'll let you know when it breaks the silence.

UPDATE: Toyota has issued a statement saying it is not moving all Tundra production to San Antonio.

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited

[Source: PickupTruck.com]

Toyota may move all Tundra production to Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited

Dan Roth — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV, Toyota

2008 Toyota Sequoia - Click above for high-res image gallery

Gigantor. The 2008 Toyota Sequoia arrives humongously revised from the already beefy first-generation. The Timberland Mica (Metallic Green) example that Toyota lent us for a week definitely deserves whatever size-related superlatives you can dream up. It's big, it's powerful, it doesn't sip fuel. There is a need and a market for this type of vehicle, however. If Sequoia buyers don't actually utilize its considerable capabilities, that's not Toyota's fault. This year marks the migration of Toyota's full size Sport Utility to the same mechanicals that underpin the new Tundra, ladling on capability to an already fairly competent and refined vehicle.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4x4

Continue reading Review: 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited

Review: 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sith Pickup: Toyota Tundra Warrior

Dan Roth — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Truck, Toyota

Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we can all admit that this Toyota Tundra "Warrior" prototype has a sinister presence in its shiniest, blackest finery. That silly fake intake is still there in the grille surround, but the rest of the look is successful. It's too bad Toyota didn't pay attention to the TRD Off Road concept's schnoz; thankfully that 2007 show-goer was free of faux scoopery. The Warrior appeared at the Chicago Auto Show to gauge public reaction to the SR5-based upgrade package. We like it. In fact, we think it's the best looking Tundra we've seen. The "none more black" exterior is complemented by various touches of brushed metal on the side mirrors, door handles, and fuel door, the latter of which you'll be seeing a lot of if Toyota builds a 5.7-liter 4x4 version. There's also tinted taillight lenses and handsomely contrasting 17-inch TRD wheels, and can we get a "hell yeah" for the revised lower fascia out front?

We haven't seen any interior shots, but it reportedly banishes some of the Gladware feel of the cabin we experienced when the Tundra visted the Autoblog garage. Mirroring the outside's carbonite treatment, the interior is also decked out in inky hues with brushed metal brightwork. If and when the Warrior hits showrooms, it could be available as an upgrade on 4x2 and 4x4 models with the 4.7- and 5.7-liter V8s, so no V6 Warrior for you.

[Source: PickupTruck.com, photo: PickupTruck.com]

Sith Pickup: Toyota Tundra Warrior originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Aw Snap! Toyota recalling 15,600 Tundras for transmission shaft problems

John Neff — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:53:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Toyota

The never-ending saga of Toyota's struggle to gain acceptance for its Tundra pickup in the U.S. market was made more difficult today with a new recall affecting some 15,600 trucks. Apparently the rear propeller shaft on some four-wheel-drive Tundras could separate at a joint because Toyota's supplier improperly heat treated it. Automotive News reports that Toyota discovered the problem when a single owner complained about noises coming from that area of his truck. Only one case of the shaft actually separating from the joint has been reported according to Toyota, and it did not result in an accident.

Credit Toyota for investigating the issue and determining which trucks are affected, then actually issuing this recall despite knowing it will hurt in the court of consumer opinion. In addition to today's recall, Toyota has also had to deal with Tundra owners complaining of "rumble strip" noises coming from the transmission, camshaft failures on a small number of trucks, and weak tailgates that have failed.

Toyota still hopes to sell 200,000 Tundras this year, and through the end of November has actually sold 177,336 units. It will require a BIG sales month in December to move nearly 25,000 Tundras, especially considering that the pickup's best selling month this year was July when 23,150 Tundra were sold.

[Source: Automotive News, Toyota]

Continue reading Aw Snap! Toyota recalling 15,600 Tundras for transmission shaft problems

Aw Snap! Toyota recalling 15,600 Tundras for transmission shaft problems originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota needs big December to reach 200k Tundra sales

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Toyota

Toyota is selling a heap more Tundra trucks this year than it did last year. It's simply not selling enough -- maybe -- to reach its goal of selling 200,000 units this year, the first year the all-new bigger and badder Tundra has been on sale. As of the end of November, the big T had rolled 177,336 Tundras off dealer lots (no mention of whether or not any of those included the old model), which represents a 58.3-percent jump in sales over last year's numbers.

But the segment overall has taken an 8-percent plunge in the tide of recent economic developments, and November Tundra sales were down almost 17-percent from October: 14,988, compared to October's 17,868. For Toyota to reach its goal, it has to move more than 22,000 Tundras in December. This means it has to post a sales increase of more than 50% in a market looking more and more like... a barren tundra. If it's really serious about making that goal, some of you out there should be licking your chops: there's money on the hoods.

Bob Carter, Toyota Division general manager said, "We use incentives tactically to offer reasons to buy Toyotas at certain times of the month." You know the reason, and this is the month. Current model year 2007 Tundras get interest-free financing for five years, while 2008 models will get interest-free financing for three. Come 'n' git it.

[Source: Auto News]

Gallery: 2008 Toyota Tundra

Toyota needs big December to reach 200k Tundra sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments