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Toyota Tundra launch worse than expected

45 messages,  Last post on Dec 18, 2007 at 10:21 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tundra, Truck

Messages Page 3 of 5

#16 of 45 Re: March sales! [belias] by rorr

Apr 05, 2007 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: belias (Apr 05, 2007 1:45 pm)
Yes!
 
 

#17 of 45 Re: Wow looks like GM is getting desparate [motownusa] by rorr

Apr 05, 2007 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: motownusa (Apr 05, 2007 2:15 pm)
I like this quote regarding GM's response to one of the dealer's radio spots:
 
"An internal GM e-mail, obtained by Brandweek, reads: "This Georgia dealer probably obtained legal approval for the [radio ad] by holding the script out of his car window as he drove by the lawyer's office."
 
Sounds to me like somebody is just begging to get sued......

#18 of 45 Re: Wow looks like GM is getting desparate [motownusa] by geo9

Apr 05, 2007 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: motownusa (Apr 05, 2007 2:15 pm)
This line noted in that article..............
 
 Myth: Toyota would like the audience to believe the trailer is 10,000 lbs. Fact: It's a 5,000 lb. truck pulling a 5,000 lb. trailer. A little slight (sic) of hand? You bet."
 
I wonder.............

#19 of 45 Re: Wow looks like GM is getting desparate [rorr] by belias

Apr 06, 2007 (3:56 am)

Replying to: rorr (Apr 05, 2007 2:32 pm)
Well, it is interesting that these dealerships would make those types of claims and think that it actually convinces people to buy from them. When I talked to the Chevy salesman about the new Silverado a couple of months ago and told him about some of the discussions about claims that were made against the new Tundra, he told me outright that whether the claims are true or not, it is a mistake to make them. He mentioned that he said that not only are they polarizing in terms of creating this "image" of what a Chevy owner is supposed to be, but that it doesn't look good for a giant in the industry to try to stomp on a small competitor. What he meant was that Toyota is still quite small in truck sales, not Toyota overall.
But still, I understood what he was saying. Whether or not the Tundra sales are great or a complete failure to those that are observing it, there is no doubt that it is just a fraction of the sales that the domestics make. Dealerships that make ridiculous claims are probably doing more damage to their own image than they are increasing sales for their brand. Keeping quite about it until it becomes a real issue (i.e. until there is actual data that the Tundra is taking away a significant portion of sales from the Detroit3) is probably the best thing that they can do. I think they did that with the Titan and its worked fairly well -- Nissan's customers for the full-size truck are fairly marganilized now (though improved bed lengths and truck choices may change that).

#20 of 45 Re: Wow looks like GM is getting desparate [geo9] by dssnuffy

Apr 07, 2007 (10:35 am)

Replying to: geo9 (Apr 05, 2007 5:55 pm)
That's why they call it a myth, geo. You forgot to quote the section.........
 
"A Saatchi senior producer released an affidavit stating that the Tundra trailer bed was indeed filled with 10,000 pounds of cinderblocks."
 
I got to tow 10,500 pound with a 5.7L 6-speed transmission Tundra last weekend and it handled like a dream. It had great towing torque over a large range of RPM.
 
No need to wonder........

#21 of 45 Informal discussion with Toyota Dealer Owner by bostnwhalr

Apr 07, 2007 (7:11 pm)

I was at an Easter event today with the kids, and had the chance to meet the owner of the local Toyota dealer. We started talking cars and I asked him how the new Tundra was doing. He winced and said that while it was ok, he was hoping for a stronger response. He felt like they were too nice and too pricey for people that would actually use them as work trucks (he mentioned putting a pile of bricks in the bed as an example). He actually said (and I'm not making this up), that if he was buying a work truck, he'd rather go down to the local GMC dealer and save $5,000. While I was taken back by his response, I appreciated his honesty. Pretty cool.
 
Basically, what he was saying was that Toyota should have more aggressively priced their basic models and designed them more as work trucks. Obviously, the rebates reflect this new reality.
 
Now before anyone flames me for being pro-GM or something, I actually like many Toyota products (I'm seriously considering the new 2008 Scion xB for my commuter vehicle).
 
The other thing you have to keep in mind is that while the MSRP's are compatible with the domestic competition, the transaction prices are not. Ford and Dodge are both throwing significant rebates on their trucks to move them. Discounts of $6,000 - $9,000 are not uncommon. Even if the Tundra is a superior truck, between brand loyalty and lower transaction prices, it's not going to be an easy road for the new Tundra. However, the fact that they moved 13,000+ units last month, isn't all that horrendous. Yes, they are short of the selling rate of 200,000 annually. However, as availability increases (along with dealer discounts), I think sales will grow a bit.
 
Just my $0.02....

#22 of 45 Re: Wow looks like GM is getting desparate [motownusa] by anythngbutgm

Apr 09, 2007 (9:42 am)

Replying to: motownusa (Apr 05, 2007 2:15 pm)
roflmao! That was some funny reading, thanks for the link.

#23 of 45 fleet trucks by ltdan2

Apr 10, 2007 (6:45 pm)

i was talking to my field agent today he said that his co. had about 10 new tundra's coming for thefield agents because the f150 heve had alot of trans. & front end problems in day to day oper.

#24 of 45 fleet trucks by ltdan2

Apr 10, 2007 (6:46 pm)

i was talking to my field agent today he said that his co. had about 10 new tundra's coming for the field agents because the f150 heve had alot of trans. & front end problems in day to day oper.

#25 of 45 5.7 & CrewMax sales stronger than expected by rsholland

Apr 16, 2007 (11:34 am)

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2527

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