Toyota Backs Off Tundra, Sequoia Output

[fbachman]

Toyota Motor Corp. will ratchet back production of Tundra pickups and Sequoia SUVs in Indiana and Texas in response to slow sales.

 

The reduction in volume -- a rare move for Toyota in North America -- will begin in late spring, said Mike Goss, a spokesman for Toyota's North American production company. He said Toyota has no plan to lay off workers at either plant.

 

Goss declined to say how many fewer trucks Toyota will produce this year because of the cutback.

 

Toyota will achieve the reduction by slowing down the production cycle. Normally, Toyota and other automakers rigorously build up the number of vehicles per hour their assembly workers can build.

 

The slowdown will not affect production of the Sienna minivan, which is built on a separate line at the Tundra-Sequoia plant in Princeton, Ind.

 

Toyota opened its second Tundra assembly plant in San Antonio in late 2006 in a bid to compete head-on with the Detroit 3 in full-sized pickups.

 

The Texas plant gave Toyota annual capacity to build 300,000 Tundras a year or about 25,000 a month. In February, the company sold 14,400.

 

For the first two months of this year, U.S. light-truck sales declined by 103,558 from the first two months of 2007.

[Rado10VicRed]

thats a sad sad story........

[Jaredkm]

For the first two months of this year, U.S. light-truck sales declined by 103,558 from the first two months of 2007.

 

 

My guess is that Toyota isnt the only one with declining truck sales, just to counter. Im not some huge Toyota fan trying to stir the pot, just wanted to make sure all the facts were out.

[d3athsong]

My guess is that Toyota isnt the only one with declining truck sales, just to counter. Im not some huge Toyota fan trying to stir the pot, just wanted to make sure all the facts were out.

 

Going by the numbers in Frank's post, there are 70 some thousand less trucks sold by the remaining manufactureres. When you combine the price of a new truck, and the price of gas or diesel, its not really suprising

[Zembonez]

I don't think we can kid ourselves any more here. If fuel prices continue skyrocketing, there is gonna be a serious decline in EVERYBODY'S truck sales. We might be serious truck fans, but Mr' and Mrs. Average American will go buy something that gets a ton better mileage...

[Dana_15]

thats a sad sad story........

 

 

Would you think its funny if they started laying off Americans

 

 

High gas prices + economy starting to go into a recession = poor vehicle sales

[omegafiler]

Yep, they're all out buying Crossovers, compact cars, and Hybrids. And that trend will very likely continue in the future as long as gas prices continue their never-ending trend upwards.

[fbachman]

I don't think we can kid ourselves any more here. If fuel prices continue skyrocketing, there is gonna be a serious decline in EVERYBODY'S truck sales. We might be serious truck fans, but Mr' and Mrs. Average American will go buy something that gets a ton better mileage...

 

Sad.... but absolutely right--- and my opinion as well.....

 

Now, it MAY force the Big3 to (finally) look at body/weight matched diesels to maintain (read SAVE) the large truck segment... What I'm saying is, like, a 4 - 4.5 liter diesel Torque Monster, maybe turbo-ed, that could still get 25mpg with diesel, rather than an exclusive offering of de-tuned 50,000 GVW commercial diesels.

 

I'm sure the GM berethren at Opel have diesel offerings available to fit the bill......

 

Heck, Toyota has the Sequoia (or whatever their big SUV is) in Europe with a 5.7l DIESEL, and quote, on the order of, 22mpg (if my conversion from liters/100km is correct )

 

If fuel prices stay up (if heck, they will), I would realistically consider that before buying something I'd need vaseline and a pry-bar to get into.

 

But, for now, my opinion is gotta pay to play. I love my 5.3l and will pay for the gas. At least I still have the choice.... and the luxury to be able to afford to drive it.

[VMax2007]

Would you think its funny if they started laying off Americans

 

Dana,

 

You mean like Toyotafanfan would if GM went under?

[chitownpete]

People like me dont need a fullsize pickup, I just got it since I figured this would be the last chance in my lifetime to own one. I had a Honda Element and a Toyota Tacoma that could tow my ATV with no problem. When I was in Amsterdam construction guys used small cars with small trailers at work sites. Some people need these things but a lot of people dont. Im keeping mine but almost bought a Subaru Forester with a tow package when I bought my Sierra. If this country continues toward third world status, we will all be driving Hyundais (intentional misspelling) if anything at all.

[chitownpete]

People like me dont need a fullsize pickup, I just got it since I figured this would be the last chance in my lifetime to own one. I had a Honda Element and a Toyota Tacoma that could tow my ATV with no problem. When I was in Amsterdam construction guys used small cars with small trailers at work sites. Some people need these things but a lot of people dont. Im keeping mine but almost bought a Subaru Forester with a tow package when I bought my Sierra. If this country continues toward third world status, we will all be driving Hyundais (intentional misspelling) if anything at all.

[asilverblazer]

GM won't have to slow production, UAW did that for them.

[slomo007]

It's a good thing I was planning to drive the wheels off my truck anyway, because our resale prices are going to be basically nothing.

[Mark_in_Tulsa]

GM won't have to slow production, UAW did that for them.

 

Ouch, burn.

[todoubled05]

its simple economical flaw. if gas is damn near 4$ pg and a truck chugs gas of course fewer people are going to buy them. nissian dodge, ford and gm are colse behind.. personally ima keep chugging, **** it.oh and I wanted to ask, has anyone in texas seen new tundras with that crooked sticker on the rear window? its a texas flag that says, " born in texas buit by texans" ?do they come out the factory with one of these?