Tundra Experiences Assembly Delays Already

Toyota dealers, your redesigned Tundra pickup is ready. But you can't have it yet.

Ready-to-sell Tundras have been creeping down the new assembly line in San Antonio since Nov. 1. But they contain either Toyota's 4.7-liter V-8 or a V-6.

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. is adamant that the redesigned full-sized pickup will not launch sales until after its new 5.7-liter V-8 engine becomes available in January from the company's expanding engine plant in Huntsville, Ala. Sales for the pickup are targeted to begin Feb 12.

The wait could have been worse. Originally, the 5.7-liter engine was going to be unavailable until next summer.

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paul3230 - 12/5/2006 11:51:57 AM

+3 Boost

Looks like someone didn't communicate until it was too late. I'm sure Toyota isn't pleased that they are allowing GM to get even more of a head start on them

joeray - 12/8/2006 9:45:25 AM

+1 Boost

GM getting a head start on Toyota? That a ridiculous statement! GM was building trucks when Toyota was making bicycles. Because they are coming out with a large pickup truck, that won't make them the experts. The only way they can make anything good is by copying on us.

kart1 - 12/5/2006 12:03:45 PM

+1 Boost

This isn't exactly new, Toyota announced that it will come out in January, when all engines are available.

rocker - 12/5/2006 1:13:16 PM

+2 Boost

GM came out with the larger 5.3 V8 before they introduced the 4.8 V8 and the 4.3 V6. That is one reason that GM, Ford and Dodge have a stronger hold on the fullsize truck market. Why would you big a large truck and then have the first one you can buy have a V6 in it? Foreign companies need to learn the good ole boy mentality to get ahead in the full size truck market.

rocker - 12/5/2006 1:16:04 PM

+1 Boost

should be build not'big'

1970toyotamarc - 12/5/2006 2:39:35 PM

+1 Boost

This is not a news story. Ant ist old, not-news as well. Typical Agent 009 post dissing Toyota with a misleading headline.

Let's see, Toyota begins production of a new truck, decides part way through its production that they want to change the product mix to better meet the needs of its buyers. So they make an adjustment beofre any vehicle roll off the assembly line. By making this adjustment to create a better product, it bumps the sales date back a couple weeks.

fast forward to Autospies learning of this....TOYOTA IS IN MASSIVE, IRREPARABLE TROUBLE!!!

pchera01 - 12/5/2006 6:03:06 PM

+1 Boost

Rocker, I think nissan is doing that, they came up with bigengine first,for next year 2008, they are going to have V-6 in titans

rocker - 12/6/2006 12:04:42 PM

+1 Boost

The Nissan is a much better looking truck. The only reason I can come up with why it doesn't sell better is due to the fact that it is an import. Good looks, good power, good size.

XYZZ - 12/6/2006 3:44:07 AM

+1 Boost

yup.

contrast this with gm rushing out the pontiac fiero, even with KNOWN defects. as many as 60% of the engine blocks came from the foundry with hairline cracks.

an internal investigation worded the conclusion thusly" "at least 40% of the blocks ARE good!"

because initial sales were hot, they simply REFUSED to pause and correct the problem. figured they'd just catch 'em all in DEALERS' service depts.

as for goodwill/ILLwill amongst the customers on which these lemons were unloaded--- SCREW 'EM! the bottom line comes FIRST!

WAY TO GO, gm!

rocker - 12/6/2006 12:05:35 PM

+1 Boost

Apexalex, have you ever owned a truck?

XYZZ - 12/7/2006 5:26:59 AM

+1 Boost

yes. why do you ask?