First

The slow long term plan in place ready for both grown in the market or a decline... Smart.

My preferred brand of pickup truck is much better than this particular brand!

I wonder if that means they will start to pull Mexican production back to San Antonio. The timing is odd- there's nothing new in that time frame- the 2016 Tacoma will be online long before that. The Tundra doesn't have any real tricks up its sleeve- that we know about. The tell-tale will be what happens at the transmission plant.

@Mr. Know it all did you not read the article "Since Toyota produces both — its pickups — the midsize Tacoma and half-ton Tundra — at the same plant in San Antonio" no where does it say Mexico. Clearly you must drive a Ford.

Only 50k extra trucks between between Tundra and Taco. That's a drop in the bucket. Yawn.

Only 50k extra trucks between between Tundra and Taco. That's a drop in the bucket. Yawn.

Tundra doesn't need any new tricks. Nobody wants them.

Nice to see them creating more jobs.

Great news Toyota, I will support them over those left wing Union disasters over at the big three.

Every Tundra that sells today is a lost sale for one of the Big 3 minus 1. Tundra doesn't need to hit it out of the park. It just needs to keep refining and getting better and picking up all the people that have been burned by the "traditional" full size makers. While its not my fav it has risen past the middle of the pack. Only a fool would not at least look at/seriously consider one.

The only people that turn to Toyota are those that:
1. Got burned by the big 3 (95% of the people I talk to that own a Toyota)
2. Are true offroad enthusiasts (see #1 as to why they don't look at Jeeps)
3. Care about reliability and dependability than features

The big 3 always say Toyota won't sell, no one wants that crap. Then here comes Toyota putting up more PROFITS than a big 3 combined.

Like stated above, even with vehicles people classify as "outdated", people are still buying them to the point where Toyota needs more production capacity.

My sierras silverados and yukons have be very reliable. i even choose to buy my wife a yukon vs a acura mdx because the yukon is a more reliable vehicle. P.S and i work for acura and can buy at a discount and acura will even pay half of a lease for me.

@Cooper - Toyota also makes Tacoma's in Mexico. Production there has been ramped up too.

I wondering if Toyota are expecting too much from the new Taco or Toyota will have more competitive pricing.

One comment above does ring true and can't be ignored. If Toyota sells an additional 50k of pickups every year then those sales come from another brand.

This isn't to be sneezed at. Look at Ford and the drop it has had since the introduction of the F-150.

Ford would like to sell an additional 50k new aluminium F-150s per year.

Well then Clint, I must be fool #1

Well then Clint, I must be fool #1

@big AL, must be a timezone difference, Ford will get those extra 50k trucks, you just dont give them enough time, obviously Toyota sees they will need it, as people move away from the mexico thing and somehow companies are bad if they dont say chevy ford or dodge on them, good for toyota

@BigAl -s till flogging that aluminum horse I see.........

Colorado/Canyon and Tacoma sales have increased without any noticeable damage to full sized truck sales.

Tundra sells well on Toyota's reputation and as others have pointed out, they attract people soured by the so called domestic brands.

Lou_BC,
Still the Ford man I see.

So, how are your symbiotic personalities today?

Lou_BC,
You say;
"Colorado/Canyon and Tacoma sales have increased without any noticeable damage to full sized truck sales."

So Louis, how did the new aluminium F-150 perform over the past year against it's competitors?

It has lost 15% plus over the Sierra/Silverado I do know.

The Colorado/Canyon have increased to the point of selling every vehicle they produce within a month.

Hmmm................so how is the aluminium F-150 inventory for such a new vehicle??

It seems you are not flogging a dead horse, but your groin.

Lou_BC,
That 15% is using all of the F Series.

So, if the all steel SuperDutys have increased sales in line with the GM Sierra/Silverado, then let's subtract the more popular steel F-150s from the total..............................

Where does this now leave the all new aluminium F-150???

I'd bet it's total of the Ford half tons are more than 30%.

But, hey Louis, the all new aluminium wonder truck by Ford is doing fantastic..................not.

@Sierra if no body wants them then why increase production? Clearly you drive a Government Motors truck.

Makes perfect sense, someone has to pick up all those Nissan sales.The tundra has barely increased over last year so I expect these increased numbers to be all Tacoma. You would have to be a big toyota nut swinger to buy a tundra right now. The GMs and Fords will be running around with ten speed transmissions and GM has announced the next gen AFM will get 20% more fuel economy, keeping the V8s relevant for the next 10 years. Toyota has to also get ready for the same competition the hilux is facing, so now is the time to get more toyota trucks on the road.

@BigAl - where is your proof?

That is YOUR interpretation.

It has been reported that Ford:

1. Initially focused on high end models
2. Initially offered no rebates
3. Said that fleet models would be released later in the year.

A. We know that GM and Ford HD sales are up.
I say - due to lack of rebates, focus on high end, and lose of 20% fleet sales that F150 usually experiences.

You say it is ALL aluminum.

My interpretation versus your interpretation.

BTW - GM prior to the GMT900's always sold more 1/2 ton trucks than Ford.

That is another point not discussed....... are we just returning to traditional Ford versus GM 1/2 sales patterns?

You guys can say all you want but if I'm in the market for a full size I'm only shopping between Silverado and Tundra. Reliability and solid v8 is what I want. I'm not interested in twin turbo 2.7 engines more suited in a mid engine sports car than a work truck. I also don't like buying from a manufacturer that pushes and fudges their numbers so much that they have all these fine prints about towing at high altitudes and such.

IN MORE IMPORTANT NEWS!!!

GM just got bailed out by the Government AGAIN!

Wow!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/17/safety-advocates-disgusted-justice-department-gm-deal/

IN MORE IMPORTANT NEWS!!!

GM just got bailed out by the Government AGAIN!

Wow!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/17/safety-advocates-disgusted-justice-department-gm-deal/

IN MORE IMPORTANT NEWS!!!

GM just got bailed out by the Government AGAIN!

Wow!!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/17/safety-advocates-disgusted-justice-department-gm-deal/

I can tell you by working at Adessa auction which is the nations largest network of dealer auctions, that F150s with the 5.0 are bought easier and with more bids than the 3.5 ecoboost. Real truck buyers want V8 reliability and driving characteristics

Don't think I would ever consider one but I like the fact it's putting people to work in the USA.

John it is very easy to make more profits when you do not have to pay union wages, or even close to the domestics pay, not to mention all the tax benefits they get for nothing but political reasons!

Lou_BC,
What is the aluminium F-150 numbers sold?

That is my proof.

As for models, hmmm...........we keep on waiting and waiting and waiting.

So what production problems are Ford having?

Ford stated in June it had reached FULL production numbers for the new aluminium F-150.

But we see inventories building up of this aluminium pickup.

So, why are Ford manufacturing the incorrect models??

Lou, your story sound credible............hmm.......

Go down and buy some Ford Koolaid.

@Michael, The real reason why you are more interested in buying GM and Toyota V-8 powered trucks, is because you are ignorant of modern technologies. Such as, Metallurgy, electronics, force induction, power technologies, etc

@Big Al I'm starting to see more and more Aluminum F150's on the streets in the southeast!!!!!!!!!! Aluminum panels will be used on GM's 2017 pick-up trucks, and Ram isn't far behind. ALUMINUM IS THE FUTURE!!!!

CLASSIC CONSERVATIVE THINKING, STICK WITH THE STATUS QUO, WHILE EVERYONE PASSES YOU BY. THAT SAME WAY OF THINKING IS WHAT ALMOST CAUSE THE DEMISE OF GM AND DODGE IN 2008. HOLDING ON TO OLD TECHNOLOGIES!!!!

latswood,
Wow, are you really seeing more new F-150s on the street.

If you saw less then I would even worry, mate.

New tech is great, if it is really necessary.

Aluminium isn't new tech, it was even around in the 19th Century.

I'm not against the use of aluminium or even the F-150. What I state is the failure of the F-150 to meet Ford's expectations in sales numbers.

Here's a simple question. What percentage does the aluminium F-150 represent in the F Series lineup now compared to 18 months ago?

Remember the SuperDutys have increased percentage wise with the GM twins.

I really do think people should start to look at the real numbers.

Are Toyota preparing for the new Tundra with the Cummins 5 litre V8-diesel? The same mill that could be found in Nissan Titan thats entering the US-market very soon.
Nissan expects to sell some 100.000 of the new Titan anually. SOP any day. I think/hope the orderbooks will open during the Texas State Fair. Today.

Bafo, Aluminum for use in the entire body of full size American trucks is new tech. Your constant rant about what you think Ford should or should not do is getting tired. Why didn't you tell them what to do in your country, and maybe save domestic manufacturing instead of praising cheap imports. More than likely you'll be wrong again, just like when you were saying years ago that full size trucks would get smaller. Look up the word hypocrite.

"...a unique opportunity to increase production of both of its trucks with a single plant investment. To accomplish this, Toyota will add 275 people to the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas assembly plant by the summer of 2016."

@Mark Williams

Sorry to quibble, but adding man-hours is an increased operating expense--not an "investment." A capital purchase, such as a new assembly line or a new paint shop is an investment. A new training facility is an investment. Wages? No.

Aluminium isn't new tech in manufacturing.

A pickup truck, a car, a real truck, a ladder, aircraft, ship, etc, most everything we use has aluminium in it.

Stop trying to glorify the pickup as if it is some special item like a space craft.

A pickup is built using technology that has been used since the Ancient Romans made carts.

A snow shovel is as technologically advanced as a fender/mudguard on a F-150.

The so called "military" grade aluminium used on the F-150 is a farce. Most every item man manufactures has a military specification.

Ford over hyped the aluminum F-150 and it isn't producing nowhere near the expected results.

So, if Ford HD increased proportional to GM's Sierra/Silverado, and Ford has dropped around 20% in comparison to GM's pickup truck numbers and the steel F-150 is still being sold, what is the true number of aluminium F-150s?

This doesn't include the build up of inventory. This build indicates that the F-150 isn't selling that well.

It would appear Ram might even sell more 1/2 ton pickups than the Ford is selling the aluminium F-150.

New tech, my arse.

papajim,
Workers are not necessarily a liability, then can be an asset if they are producing more than they are costing.

People in the work place are valued the same as tools. The only difference is people will constantly required money for upkeep.

As an example of people working that are a liability. We will use Ford for an example. Ford increased it's workforce by around 3 000 to produce the aluminium F-150. They are producing less aluminium F-150s than the old steel 1/2 ton F-150.

Is this good or bad?? I see this as bad since Ford can only sell the new aluminium F-150 with heavily incentivized vehicles. This means the cost of the new refitted factories, more material costs, more manhours, massive development costs, etc.

So, in effect Ford is producing an expensive product in comparison to Ford's peers as it is only competitive when priced similarly to it's peers.

Was Ford's move to aluminium good? Hmmm...............

Toyota might sell additional Tacos', who knows. Our experience here in Australia showed that the Hilux numbers didn't improve and the newcomers in our market were sold in lieu of a Toyota.

But, with the not so competitive midsize pickup market in the US Toyota might sell additional Taco's.

I just traded in my 2006 Toyota Tundra (which I loved) for a 2015 F-150 5.0 V8. I love the new truck. I was talking to a Toyota salesman while helping my mom pick up her new Toyota Highlander and was explaining to him that my decision not to go with the Toyota was mainly due the horrible fuel economy. Big deal if you put on a lot of miles. He told me that Toyota had promised a 5mpg improvement on next years Tundra. Anxious to see what they come out with!

@Big Al.

Rubbish. Go to school.

You are outside of your skill set here. Business finance & accounting is not some squishy place where you get to inject your opinions or go ad hoc with your imagination.

Expenses and investments in accounting have specific definitions. Study it--you might learn something.

Whats Big DUMB Al gonna cry about when his fav manufacturer starts making its trucks entire (not just the hood like it does now) body out of aluminum and finds itself 3 to 5 years behind the industry leader(s) in such things? Im sure he will find something... Its what he does. And Papa Jim is right.

Posted by: Brown Equip | Sep 18, 2015 7:21:46 AM
He told me that Toyota had promised a 5mpg improvement on next years Tundra. Anxious to see what they come out with!
------------

That is an outright lie. Salespeople (morons) are the last to know.

Toyota sells itself with a proven product that gets the job done reliably. They don't rely on heavy discounts or over hyped marketing. After test driving the new Ford F-150 it convinced me to keep my Tundra longer until they release a new model.

Its sad how people wont even examine the products of others. Especially those who think they are intelligent because they read a lot online. I never miss an opportunity to drive EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. Ill confess im biased and rarely surprised as I do read and study but sometimes... One finds something. I found the Titan and Tundra to both be competent and the deeply discounted TItan and poor resale value an excellent bargin with its features and capability. I found the Ram's ride and interior amazing. The Eco Boost was a blast to drive. We all have our "issues"... one of the most common to some degree or another is VANITY. Most wont consider something they don't find visually appealing even if it is superior. I don't care for how the Tundra looks but am smart enough to look at that 1 strike against it and not 3. May wouldn't want to be seen in Titan with its decade old styling/features and rep as the weakest link in the fullsize chain but if you look at it for the money its a real gem. BLINE LOYALTY... a truly silly mental condition. EVERYTHING deserves to be examined on its merits or lack of. These factors change with each model and over time. I have seen people have the most AWEFUL experiences with all of the Big 3-1. Yet they come back for more. I call it the "battered spouse syndrome". I know so so so many who say "My last _____(fill in the blank with Ford, Chevy, GMC, or Ram) was a piece of junk, I cant wait to trade it in and get a new one." and they do... over and over going back like some battered spouse that just wont leave... and just like the batter spouse they make excuses... "well I worked it kinda hard, well it must have built on a Friday, well I only had to replace the transmission once, its what my daddy always owned". They might as well be some battered spouse talking about their experiences yet still with or going back the person who did this. Its sad. For those with the courage to open their eyes and move on there is a brave new world out there with more and sometimes better options than "your daddy" knew about.

Its sad how people wont even examine the products of others. Especially those who think they are intelligent because they read a lot online. I never miss an opportunity to drive EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. Ill confess im biased and rarely surprised as I do read and study but sometimes... One finds something. I found the Titan and Tundra to both be competent and the deeply discounted TItan and poor resale value an excellent bargin with its features and capability. I found the Ram's ride and interior amazing. The Eco Boost was a blast to drive. We all have our "issues"... one of the most common to some degree or another is VANITY. Most wont consider something they don't find visually appealing even if it is superior. I don't care for how the Tundra looks but am smart enough to look at that 1 strike against it and not 3. May wouldn't want to be seen in Titan with its decade old styling/features and rep as the weakest link in the fullsize chain but if you look at it for the money its a real gem. BLINE LOYALTY... a truly silly mental condition. EVERYTHING deserves to be examined on its merits or lack of. These factors change with each model and over time. I have seen people have the most AWEFUL experiences with all of the Big 3-1. Yet they come back for more. I call it the "battered spouse syndrome". I know so so so many who say "My last _____(fill in the blank with Ford, Chevy, GMC, or Ram) was a piece of junk, I cant wait to trade it in and get a new one." and they do... over and over going back like some battered spouse that just wont leave... and just like the batter spouse they make excuses... "well I worked it kinda hard, well it must have built on a Friday, well I only had to replace the transmission once, its what my daddy always owned". They might as well be some battered spouse talking about their experiences yet still with or going back the person who did this. Its sad. For those with the courage to open their eyes and move on there is a brave new world out there with more and sometimes better options than "your daddy" knew about.

-----------------

I don't know,

My "Daddy" ran an independent repair shop that did everything including engine and transmission rebuilds. I think his opinion was valuable thank you very much!

andrwken,
A good piece.

I do think the same as you. When you buy you do look at price vs wants. The Titan example is a great one. There are many who look at monthly payments first, and if the vehicle fulfills your needs or wants you buy if you have the "cash".

Even the full size vs mid size debate is similar is currently being proven.

The new Colorado/Canyon is showing the pickup buying consumer that there is a viable alternative to suit what most want in a pickup.

But, then there are the greater majority who want a full size.

Then there are those who buy the pickup for what it really is. A versatile vehicle that does represent the middle class.

As for branding I do believe many of those brand biased comments are made by kids. Why? I'd say they listen to their daddies and his buddies talking over beers on what pickup is the best. Of course what daddy buys must be the best.

Then you have the industry commenters who attempt to sway judgment.

My view is, it is better to point out the deficiencies in a particular product you like and even own rather than the fan brand discussion and cut and pastes that occur on this site.

I do currently have an issue with the lack of transparency with the Ford Motor Company regarding the true numbers with the aluminium F-150. It's not that the truck is bad, it's competitive when priced with it's peers.

But, the cost of the aluminium F-150 project was immense and I feel too few are moving off the lots to truly justify Ford's move.

My view has nothing to do with the aluminium, but the choice by Ford to rollout, market and spin the aluminium truck as they had.

All Tacoma beds are from the Mexico assembly plant. They only build crew cabs down there though, for Mexico consumption and the rest of North America.

Check your VIN, if it starts with "3", it's Mexico build. Now that's not a bad thing. Likely it's better built Taco.