• Jack-it Night: April 2024 RS Meeting Hey Guest: Wed. April 3rd is the next Rising Sun meeting, and you won't want to miss it. We're doing our annual offroad recovery equipment demonstration and trail skills training aka "Jack It Night." Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. (early) Click here for all the details.

Changes forthcoming for Toyota?

Jacket

RS Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
5,278
Location
Lafayette
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/report-toyota-planning-10-new-models-to-gain-u-s-sales-65333.html

A couple of interesting sections:

Prius Pickup – Automotive News reports that the Prius line could grow by one more, as powers within Toyota are battling to create a small pickup that could launch under the Prius nameplate. The biggest argument regarding this vehicle now revolves around where it will fit in price-wise, since hybrid tech would add cost and compact pickups generally carry low prices. If produced, Automotive News speculates that a Prius pickup will only be able to handle light loads, and won’t arrive for at least a couple years.

Sequoia/Land Cruiser – Yes, you read that right. Toyota could merge its two large SUV nameplates, relegating the Sequoia name to a lower trim level of the Land Cruiser, possibly even the base model. As for which platform will be used, there is debate within Toyota on whether to continue to import the rugged Land Cruiser, which is watered down and luxed up from the versions sold in Australia and the rest of the world, or move the model to the Tundra platform like the current Sequoia. Whatever the case, changes won’t take place until the 2014 model year.
 

nuclearlemon

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
8,297
Location
windy wyo
interesting. it would be nice to be able to purchase a "base" model land cruiser
 
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
417
Location
Encinitas, CA
Well, I guess I better start getting ready to import a 79 series ute from somewhere... Tundra. Ugh. I can't stand how huge all of the new rigs are getting... I actually like the GX series lexus because it is the same size as an 80. scary huh?

k
 

Nay

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Feb 25, 2006
Messages
900
Given that there is really zero reason to buy a 'watered down luxed up' (and fugly) Land Cruiser for $10K more than the much more functional Sequoia, it makes sense to combine them since the Sequoia has been cannibalizing the later model LC for years.

Of course, you know it will be on the Tundra platform to keep it in the $45K-$60K range where full size SUVs play these days.
 

DanS

Rising Sun Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Messages
1,437
Location
Dumont
I would love a prius pickup, finally the best of both worlds.

I think there's a market there.

Think of how many businesses need to deliver things, and how much money an efficient small pickup could save them. In the rest of the world, there are small, efficient trucks that can haul a decent load--just not real fast (http://ace.tatamotors.com/home.php).

I know there's such a market. I purchased my 1HZ from a guy who owned a welding shop, and used his Toyota mini truck to deliver projects to and from the mines in Montana. But he was being eaten alive on fuel costs, so when the 1HZ came up for sale (and it was for sale by someone who had no idea what it was, just that it was Toyota and diesel) he jumped on it. It wasn't until he got it home that he realized it was over a foot too long to fit into his mini truck. So, he sold it to me instead, and we talked mini-truck diesel swaps for quite some time.

Now if only someone would market a D-CAT prius pickup.... ;)

Dan
 

Woodsman

Trail Ready
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
411
Location
Batesville, Indiana
Prius Pickup – Automotive News reports that the Prius line could grow by one more, as powers within Toyota are battling to create a small pickup that could launch under the Prius nameplate. The biggest argument regarding this vehicle now revolves around where it will fit in price-wise, since hybrid tech would add cost and compact pickups generally carry low prices. If produced, Automotive News speculates that a Prius pickup will only be able to handle light loads, and won’t arrive for at least a couple years.

When's the last time you saw a low priced small pickup ? I usually do an :eek: when I see the price and mileage numbers and figure I'd be better off buying a full-size.

I do agree that there is a market for small AND efficient small pickup/delivery vans. The Scions and Cubes are trying to fill a bit of that market but leave something to be desired while that Ford Transit is just a joke.

Of course, I am for anything that preserves more oil but all they need to do is drop diesels in these vehicles and they'll save a bunch right off the bat. Of course, everyone here already knows that.
 

theboomboom

Trail Ready
Joined
Dec 29, 2007
Messages
443
Location
Centennial
I think they're going the wrong direction with their pickups... An HZJ79 would satisfy me :D
 

DaveInDenver

Rising Sun Ham Guru
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
12,944
Location
Grand Junction
Why Toyota insists on being difficult when it just seems so f'n simple is beyond me. It's cheap, easy on fuel, /immediately/ marketable, already designed & in production and has brand recognition and a reputation that most companies can only dream about.

For goodness sakes, all they have to do is license the Top Gear video, put it on a DVD and stamp "Now Available at your neighborhood Toyota store" across the front. They'd eat the other mid sized truck offerings for lunch.

View attachment 24546View attachment 24547

I'd be first in line at Groove to put my money down. Heck even a D4D Tacoma in base level trim would be pretty easy on the wallet to buy and operate.
 
Last edited:

Jacket

RS Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
5,278
Location
Lafayette
Maybe the Rising Sun and Cruise Moab collective needs to pool our money together and spring for a nice little piece of property in Nicaragua. Then we can all buy ourselves the Mini's and Cruiser's we want, register them at our Nicaraguan paradise, and drive them home.:thumb:
 
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
417
Location
Encinitas, CA
Again, the gas lobby wins. In a vehicle like a small pickup, a diesel would win over a hybrid, unless the pickup was used almost exclusively for city deliveries. I base this on toyota using a smaller, more efficient and nominally powered (not super over powered as we americans tend to like) diesel engine... Could you imagine a 13BT, 14BT, or 15BT in a 90's era tacoma? Drool!

I would love to buy a modern toyota diesel over just about anything right now...
 

DaveInDenver

Rising Sun Ham Guru
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
12,944
Location
Grand Junction
Could you imagine a 13BT, 14BT, or 15BT in a 90's era tacoma?

How about a 1KD or 2KD? Sorta just like the Y2K vintage Hilux. :-/

eurohilux2001extracabsilver.jpg


toyota-hilux-4013681_b_ad292440296d243e.jpg
 

corsair23

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
8,610
Location
Littleton
Here is a little article about Nissan and Cummin's bringing a diesel to market. A 2.8 l that has 340lb of torque, and gets 28-30 mpg.

Enjoy http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110526/CARNEWS/110529863


Interesting...Did you catch this tidbit in the story:
"Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy in partnership with Nissan Motor Co. The Energy Department is providing $15 million of the project's estimated $30 million cost."
I guess I wonder why :confused:
 

Nay

Hard Core 4+
Joined
Feb 25, 2006
Messages
900
Interesting...Did you catch this tidbit in the story:
"Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy in partnership with Nissan Motor Co. The Energy Department is providing $15 million of the project's estimated $30 million cost."
I guess I wonder why :confused:

Probably two reasons:

1) To help get CAFE up;
2) Following the admission even in California that the "dirtier" aspects of diesel may be outweighed by the reduction in greenhouse emissions.

Now as to why do this with Nissan is an interesting question. Maybe because Nissan got off the bench first because they get the point that penetrating the North American market with a strong diesel platform is every bit as good an idea as selling diesel to the rest of the world, especially partnering with a major U.S. diesel manufacturer.

Kind of seems like no brainer and getting some public/private sector cooperation can look good in the image sector for both sides.
 

Woodsman

Trail Ready
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
411
Location
Batesville, Indiana
Interesting...Did you catch this tidbit in the story:
"Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy in partnership with Nissan Motor Co. The Energy Department is providing $15 million of the project's estimated $30 million cost."
I guess I wonder why :confused:

The DOE also funded another project with Cummins several years ago which helped develop a smaller V8 diesel which was expected to begin production for 1/2 ton Dodge Rams. Chevy and Ford also had diesels in the pipeline and nearly ready to be released for their 1/2 tons. However, when the economy tanked a few years ago all three companies cancelled or "shelved" these projects. My memory is that this Cummins engine was yielding 27mpg in a two wheel drive 1/2 ton Dodge Ram pickup.

Here's a 2007 news release: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/01/23/034874.html

For you reading enjoyment, most folks don't know about Cummins history at the Indy 500 --->http://cumminsengines.com/every/customer/cummins_start_to_finish.page?

This is some interesting reading on 18 wheeler fuel mileage --->http://cumminsengines.com/assets/pdf/Secrets of Better Fuel Economy_whitepaper.pdf

And don't forget the Cummins Youtube channel ---> http://www.youtube.com/cumminsengines
 

nakman

Club Secretary
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Aug 23, 2005
Messages
14,551
Location
north side
not sure if this one has been posted here yet. Y'all see the compact cruiser?


fullsizemodel-in-ed2-fq-1655215995.jpg
 
Top