I live in the SF Bay Area and one of the billboards has a Dodge Dakota add on it and trying to slam Toyota, stating something like " Tacoma, for an import how could they get it so wrong?"

Just showing you how little they know (big 3) about Toyota, since Tacomas are build in Fremont CA, less than 10 miles away from that billboard. SO much for their import slam.

Not fullsize, but just showing you.

It would be good to see Toyota making true fullsize trucks. SInce the new Tacoma is almost the same size as the Tundra. Hopefully this will mean the Tacoma will be getting the V8 in a year or two.

You might find this Ford campaign funny, amazing how they pick on the Tundra, but not the titan in certain areas. But they conviniently forget to show the Titan's frame, etc in certain places hhhhmmmmmm. The Tundra is easy to pick on as it is the "smallest" full size truck, or should I say smallest "full size" truck. It was never build for the heavy towing and hauling as the other, but that is about to change soon

 

Hey I think I saw that sign, it's just before you enter the bay bridge right? It's got a red Dakota on there, I think...I'll look for it again this weekend, gotta be heading to SF again for class

 

<Also has anyone noticed that the big three are starting to take Toyota seriously?>

Where have you been the last several years LOL. Let me fill you in...

2004 - Toyota Motor Corp. moves ahead of Ford Motor Corp. as the number two automaker in the world. Toyota sells a record number of cars this year in the US and profits are up 30%.

Yea, the "big one" (GM) is taking Toyota very seriously. Toyota doesn't expect to overtake GM for several decades, however.

 

Me Too!

 

A few more bits gleaned over the past month:

Artist's rendition of what will be the largest Toyota plant in the world, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas--



Selected quotes from a speech given by Hideaki "Harry" Otaka, President and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, to the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce on January 12, 2005. He said something (in bold) that probably received attention in Detroit boardrooms:

"So far, plant construction is on schedule. As you can see from this picture, plant construction is moving along quickly. When I first saw this site, I was impressed by its size. At 2000 acres, this is by far the largest Toyota plant site in the world – and to the best of my knowledge, one of the largest sites for any vehicle manufacturer.

We currently employ over 70 people in San Antonio, with the major hiring scheduled for later this year. We expect to start production of the first Tundra by late 2006...

The San Antonio plant represents a new chapter for our North American production system. Until now, each of our North American plants had a "mother" plant in Japan to provide support for start-up. But San Antonio's "mother" plant is in Indiana, not Japan.

The Indiana mother plant employs 4700 people and produced more than 380,000 vehicles last year. I'm sure T.J. shares my dream that one day that child will exceed the parent."

Hold on to your Stetson, pard. That's the first time anyone has mentioned selling 380,000+ Tundras/Sequoias, up from earlier conservative forecasts of 200,000. It will make Tundra/Sequoia the second biggest seller closely behind Camry, far ahead of any other Toyota cars or trucks, and well over double current sales levels. It lends credibility to the rumors of over twenty models of Tundra eventually, including diesels and hybrids, and who knows how many models of Sequoia. This also says that although they'll be produced in late '06, they'll be '07 model year vehicles.

If anyone here is in the Fairbanks, AK area, keep your camera handy. A group of new Tundras is undergoing cold testing there this month.

 

Alright people, here is some real information for all the doubters. All based upon the new "F" chassis.

2007 Landcruiser series 130, 4.7 VVT V8, 4.4 V8 twin turbo intercooled CRD diesel (300 HP, 428ft.lbs. torque), or 4.0 VVT V6 (non-us spec only). No word if non-us spec will offer solid axle option...

2007 Lexus 550 (same chassis) 5.5 VVT V8 (alloy)

2007 Sequoia and Tundra Ute (same chassis) 4.7 VVT V8, 4.4 V8 twin turbo intercooled CRD diesel (300 HP, 428ft.lbs. torque).

Link:

http://www.pbase.com/drexx/land_cruiser_news&page=all

 

Are there any photographs or specs out there? How much bigger is this truck going to be, and what is it going to look like?

 

What ever happened to the rumored 400hp+ 700lbtq+ diesel?
I can only assume those engine mentioned are for the 1/2ton only and the 3/4ton and 1ton motors are still up in the air.

 

That is WEAK!!!!!!

Looks like ill be buying a GM.

 

Decent power for a diesel of that size, but I hope the 3/4 and 1-ton's have a bigger option. Without it they'll be sorely outclassed.

 

No truck pictures yet. Smaller diesel is for the 130 series LC (non-US) Larger diesel is possible for a rumored true heavy duty truck, but so far it's all rumor regarding what running gear.

The 4.4 V8 TD is fact however, so it gives us a baseline to look at and dream about in US spec Landcruisers and 1/2 ton Tundra's...

Joe, enjoy your new Duramax. My uncle just replaced his 3rd "Allison" transmission. (Woop-de-doo-doo) But at least it is still under warrenty. Oh wait, 3 transmissions in less than 36,000 mi?

You can keep you junk.

 

Where did i say i would get an allison?

And yes, once again i will have to settle, because Toyota wont be building what i need, again. If they in fact put Hino's in the HD trucks, ill go look at those. But if they dont, im not going to spend hard earned cash, on a truck that wont get the job done. Its that simple.

 

Land Cruiser is a worldwide production vehicle, has never and will never share it's platform with anything other than the LX derivative. Sequoia and Tundra are North American production only with a platform unsuited to other markets. Just my 2¢, but I'd put a friendly wager on it.

 

I hope your right, but the 4runner/Prado Land Cruiser/GX/Tacoma/FJ Cruiser platform covers quite a range of small/midsize trucks. I could see them doing the same w/the full size trucks.

 

Jumping ship so soon without any confirmation yet on the HD tundra's. For all we know this could only be for the 1/2 ton tundra only, hence the smaller diesel and also it being offereds on the landcruiser, sequoia too, both 1/2 ton class. The domestics don't even have anything diesel for their 1/2 ton currently yet. Seems toyota is ahead of the game. If it was me I'd wait for more word about the 3/4 ton - 1 ton and see what kind of motor and power is being offered. I'd hate to buy something else only to find out months later the 3/4 ton - 1 ton out powers it in every way.

 

Toyota ups new Tundra production capacity before the first one is built. This won't be welcome news in Detroit. From Toyota's PR Newswire today:

"Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America (TMMNA) is announcing today an
additional $50 million investment in its San Antonio, Texas, truck plant,
now under construction, to increase production capacity by 50,000 vehicles.

This will bring the total investment in Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas
to $850 million and will give the plant total production capacity of
200,000 vehicles per year. The plant is scheduled to begin production of
the Tundra full-size pick-up truck in the fall of 2006.

This capacity increase will give the company the flexibility to respond
quickly to market conditions if demand for the popular Tundra continues to
grow. Adding capacity now while the plant is under construction is more
efficient than expanding after production begins at the facility. The
increase will be accomplished through machinery and line-spacing
modifications. At this point, no decision has been made to increase
employment beyond the 2,000 initially announced in 2003.

By 2008, Toyota will have the annual capacity to build 1.81 million cars
and trucks, 1.44 million engines, and 600,000 automatic transmissions in
North America."

 

Sweet. Eventually it will equal more jobs when the ramp up.

 

Hope so. It makes me wonder what part of the plan changed so dramatically that they increase capacity 33%? I'm guessing this announcement is related to an obscure Japanese industry rag I read last month. The article said Toyota is accelerating the hybrid Tundra production schedule so it will be one of the first of the new models offered next year.

 

Wheelbase is a bit short as well for a huge trailer. It could be done, but if the load is off at all, or as you said if the trailer brakes failed for any reason, you would be screwed. Being in Colorado, we also get some icy roads from time to time; this past winter, I was pulling 5k pounds on a roughly 18' trailer. The thing started going sideways on me on ice, when the trailer brakes locked up (didn't remember to turn the controller down since the roads were just wet up until that point). I am not sure I would have had enough truck to convince a 10k-lb 30 fiit trailer out of that one.

All the same though, diesels in 06? I was figuring on 07-08 but that's great news! I don't really need one just yet, but will in a couple years. This will give them some time to work the bugs out...

I don't doubt that the Toyota engines will be capable of more power than they put out. Obviously the American trucks are with a computer tweak. It really makes it easy for future power upgrades, to just change some settings rather than have to re-engineer the engine. Plus it keeps them competetive in the marketplace with minimal R&D (same reason the Americans "restrict" their motors). Now, if you can find the computer tweak ... well, look out!

 

So the 5.5 VVT-i that you are hearing about that will be found in Lexus vehicles? Well I heard a very reliable rumour that the Big Toyota engine will be a 5.7 litre engine and not the 5.5.