Interesting... then why are we seeing more and more radical designs in trucks/suvs these days that actually make it to production, and most find appalling? Take the Ford Explorer Sport Trac or the Chevy Avalanche? (not to mention the SSR - though it's not really a "pickup" either!) Are they selling like hotcakes in Texas?
I say, why let the American auto makers make the first move? After all, Toyota has surpassed Ford as No. 2 worldwide.
Don't worry - I'm sure they'd sell more here in California than in Georgia anyway!
Jeff
Jeff,
I am a California native born and raised (fresno) and if the fx concept truck was for sale in the golden state it wouldn't sell ( like they sell a lot of those Honda Elements). it going to be in the same boat if toyota sells this ugly thing anyways we will see if toyota manages to build it but i doubt it....While the fx truck appears to be a hint of what's in store for the next tundra i wouldn't count on it being made and some bits and peices. it may make it's way on the new tundra however toned down a lot....
p.s Georgia has a lot more Tundras around here after all, they're made near the south (and soon in Texas)
Well i truly don't know, butte if this truck were built in San Antone *AND* a big set of Lone Horn Steer horns were added to the front hood [can you old Texans say Web Pierce?], then the FTX would be my pick of the litter [litre?] in 2006. Yes Sireee, in 2006 this Pilgrum will have bought and drive, drove, driven, Toy Cow Trucks for thirty years! How many of you can say that?
Cheers,
-RH
Nuther tune to stick in ol Possum' head --
"He's In the Jailhouse Now"
-Web Pierce
I haven't been on this site in a month and Toyota sneaks up a concept on me. Unfortunately, its not something I'm wow'ing to. Plain and simple, its boring! Nothing out of the ordinary from the last 4 models that came out since its debut. Toyota should really make the Tundra comparable in power/torque, bed size (height), & overall height, to the other american trucks. Plus, Toyota just need to make their IFS/steering design much simpler for ease of aftermarket suspension upgrades. Enthusiasts love to lift their trucks otherwise they wouldn't be called such. It's a truck and therefore should ride like one not like a car, but definitely not like a bulldozer neither. If Toyota just stick to the basics that other trucks have and add reliability and durability, then I bet the demands will be greater then. Also, I think its time for the Tundra to get a different face lift. The look is getting boring now, it needs a more dramatic "in your face" look...no crazy chroming either like the Titan. Speaking of the Titan, I'm getting used to the front end look however, the cab side view is still ugly looking to me, plus that thing they call a storage space on the bottom end of the rear quarter panel...hideous! If I am to get a truck now and would choose between the Tundra and Titan, I'd pick neither and go with a Sierra Denali.
After parusing this thread I am caused to wonder,"How many of you would NOT purchase a vehicle because of it's appearance?" If it had the proper functional equipment and equal price would you say no because of it's looks? When I bought Smee I much preferred the F150's appearance and most other factors were equal, but where I live Toyotas outlast Fords by a lot, and on his third anniversary (and 50,000 miles) he still looks brand new.
After parusing this thread I am caused to wonder,"How many of you would NOT purchase a vehicle because of it's appearance?" If it had the proper functional equipment and equal price would you say no because of it's looks? When I bought Smee I much preferred the F150's appearance and most other factors were equal, but where I live Toyotas outlast Fords by a lot, and on his third anniversary (and 50,000 miles) he still looks brand new.
About 3 years ago, it was hard to tell an F150 from a Tundra from the rear or side, unless they were side by side.
And no, I'm not "dissing" Fresno by any means - it's just that it's a simpler life up there than here in the big city! Heck, I grew up in a cow town of 900 people up in Oregon on a 200 acre farm - our nearest "Fresno-sized" city was an hour away. I know all about the "hicksville" ways, and by golly, I sure miss that simpler life!
Why do many people buy Porsches, Mercedes, and for gawd sake's a Hummer? #1 Reason = STATUS/looks, #2 Performance, & #3 Durability. If I'm gonna have to look at it on my driveway and be seen driving in it everyday, you betcha it better look good, especially if I'm paying an arm and a leg for it! And, it better get me to work day in and day out w/o delay caused by breakdowns. Good power is another thing (and I won't buy a truck that drives like a dog). Sure, functionality and durability are also factors to consider, but nothing makes a head turn like a sharp looking truck, lifted on huge tires, with good power/torque to burn rubber. Why do you think American truck makers mainly focus on looks, aesthetics, and power, instead of durability & longevity? It's because appearance and power sells first, the others are secondary. But then you got people like Nissan who makes alien looking vehicles: Titan & Maxima, ugly things! Look at the new Mitsubishis too, ugly as well. There's really not many good looking cars/trucks out there besides the ones that costs more than your mortgage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wadingboy
After parusing this thread I am caused to wonder,"How many of you would NOT purchase a vehicle because of it's appearance?" If it had the proper functional equipment and equal price would you say no because of it's looks? When I bought Smee I much preferred the F150's appearance and most other factors were equal, but where I live Toyotas outlast Fords by a lot, and on his third anniversary (and 50,000 miles) he still looks brand new.
About 3 years ago, it was hard to tell an F150 from a Tundra from the rear or side, unless they were side by side.
And no, I'm not "dissing" Fresno by any means - it's just that it's a simpler life up there than here in the big city! Heck, I grew up in a cow town of 900 people up in Oregon on a 200 acre farm - our nearest "Fresno-sized" city was an hour away. I know all about the "hicksville" ways, and by golly, I sure miss that simpler life!
Jeff
i didn't think you were "dissing" Fresno and yeah the pace is slower with better drivers. i miss it so much i would ditch Atlanta Georgia in a heatbeat..Once i am done with college i am moving to Colorado, life there is simpler and the traffic isn't as bad compared to most cities around here..I also hate Los Angles and Atlanta Georgia isn't that all different than LA California. just more stupid rude people to add to the poll of the bad drivers we already have out here.The south too has a very interesting outlook on life as most of it i tend too disagree with how they build roads with little effort on planning growth etc. on the side front they complain about the state flag being raciest again (hello aren't we out of that by now) coming from the west to the south was a major shocker...
I don't have any numbers, but I'd assume that appealing to the domestic truck owners would be Toyota's best plan of attack. I certainly won't shell out an extra $5000-8000 for a hybrid. Yeah, you might save some gas, but you're not going to save $5000 in gas unless you have that truck for a loooooong time.
Toyta's price on the Prius is very competetive with other cars that size.
If Toyota continued that strategy,they could probably sell as many as they made. The Prius appears to be selling very well. There is one Toyota dealer locally. They have two on the lot in their rental fleet and they are already sold when the rental time is completed.
But think of it, V8 power and good gas milage.
They do need to work on the way it looks though.
Mike,
How much longer does the tax break continue for hybrid technology?
Your formula is not right. To save $8,000 going to a 26 MPG vehicle as opposed to a 17 MPG vehicle at $1.50 a gallon it will take about 262,000 miles ($23,117 worth of gas for the 17 MPG vehicle with gast at $1.50 a gallon and $15,115 for the 26 MPG vehicle at the same $1.50 a gallon).
BTW I love the FTX concept truck. You guys need to keep in mind that production vehicles are always toned way down from the concept vehicles. Concept vehicles are radical and bold to GRAB attention at the shows.
But, what happens when you double the price of the fuel?
Toyta's price on the Prius is very competetive with other cars that size.
If Toyota continued that strategy,they could probably sell as many as they made. The Prius appears to be selling very well. There is one Toyota dealer locally. They have two on the lot in their rental fleet and they are already sold when the rental time is completed.
But think of it, V8 power and good gas milage.
They do need to work on the way it looks though...
I looked at the first model Prius before we picked-up another Camry. I got in but needed help getting out of it because it was so small - I couldn't even close the door!
The new model looks much roomier (though I haven't tried it yet) - but there's no way my wife would drive it the way it looks right now. She's much too conservative for such a mod design, so hybrids will have to evolve from the mainstream before my family will be driving one.
Are they selling like hotcakes in Texas?
Why do you think American truck makers mainly focus on looks, aesthetics, and power, instead of durability & longevity? It's because appearance and power sells first, the others are secondary. But then you got people like Nissan who makes alien looking vehicles: Titan & Maxima, ugly things! Look at the new Mitsubishis too, ugly as well. There's really not many good looking cars/trucks out there besides the ones that costs more than your mortgage.
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