Toyota won't compete with Big 3 in the pickup segment this year

The tundra by almost all accounts is a pretty good truck..

But that doesn't mean it will be successful in the marketplace. Plenty of good cars fail for one reason or another. I think the tundra will carve it's own niche, but not dominate the truck market, it will be more like a more successful Titan.

The tundra is not a good example of a pickup truck. Reliability is poor (camshaft, bed bounce, electrical, brake problems to name a few) plus the chassis is not on par with any of the other offering including the titan. The tundra is more of a poser truck, no one who needs a real work truck should considering purchasing this!

cpt- you are just jealous there isn't a Lexus derivative in the works.

toyota should just build borring cars and let americans build real trucks!!

Sadly, that's all the US has left!

Dont forget Americans make great cars to. I.E. Malibu, Fusion, G8, Sky, Impala, Corvette, CTS...

That's fine. Toyota had no business in the full size truck segment to begin with.

sales of tundra down 60%. when the going gets tough...

i question the intelligence of some of our members...."just STFU and go back to Japan"?!?!?!?....REALLY!?!?!? how old are you?

The Toyota Tundra is more capable of being a dependable 1/4 pickup then GM,Ford and Dodge. They not only built it to be as good, but better then the "Big 3" from day one. The few issues they have had were problems that were related to the first few thousands and were takin care voluntarily by Toyota. Most customer's didn't even know their Tundra had an issue, but Toyota contacted them and let them know.
They didn't wait like the typical "Big 3", who choose to ignore problems until it's obvious.

Even though it's built in the US, atleast I know the union isn't building it !! Thank goodness too, or it would have the same problems as Ford, GM and Dodge.

The Tundra is bigger, faster, and stronger !!
I've compared all 4 versions, and actaully see the diffrence in the trucks. It's too bad the market is full of people that can't by it because it's not American...

Do your research. there is nothing endearing about the Tundra. The engine and transmission are not durable and the chassis is not strong and hence makes a poor work truck.

As I have never owned a pickup and probably never will, I have no dog in this fight. But I am confused as to why Tundra sales would drop so much compared to the American brands. From all accounts the Tundra is a nice truck. So why did its sales figures drive off a cliff?

It is because the demographic of most full sized truck buyers buy American brands. Secondly, Ford and Chevy are established brands that companies, businesses, and blue collar workers already trust. Third, they have much better rebates.

Bottom line is regardless of how good the Tundra might be, and it is, the truck is aimed at consumers who like Camrys. Most full size truck buyers aren't into Camrys.

yea, my guess is that the general public didnt buy as many trucks this year. Thats their target audience. The american three sale a lot of trucks to companies and businesses, that cannot buy anything smaller or more fuel efficient.

I think the main reason that sales dipped so bad is because of the credit crunch and Toyota never would give the trucks away as cheap as the big three, Toyota's financing is nowhere as cheap as the big three. The mechanical problems didn't help either! Everyone has seen the you Tube video 'Truck Bed Bounce" that is where the Toyota Tundra's frame flexed like spaghetti and the Ford and Chev came out on top big time. Also with the Toyota's big powerful engine that you have to love is obviously the worst on gas, they went big at the wrong time. Toyota could make a winner if they stopped following the crowd and made a fun truck that is light weight good on gas and had real off road abilities, unlike anything they have built for a while.

You know it could be all of the recalls that Toyo has had on the Tundra too..

Canada, Canada, Canada those most have been the first words out of your mouth...

Consumer Reports no longer recommends new model Toyotas because of all the quality issues.

Why don't you just admit Toyota/Lexus is losing ground in quality, reliability and customer retention.
That is what happens when you try to grow too fast and cut corners just to try and be the BIGGEST LOSER auto maker...

It is obvious that Toyota thought they could just build a pickup and many would come running. Beating their chest, taking on the Big 3 would be a cinch, but got their buttock handed to them in a basket. How in the world could they think the people that purchase Ford and Chevy trucks would want to replace them. They work and work extremely well thank you. Just ask most that purchase them.

Ford F150 hasn't been the best selling vehicle in the world by accident for over a decade. Say what you will, a lot can be said about that kind of success. Toyota failed in trying to conquer a segment they totally underestimated.

Toyota also has quality issues that has to be dealt with in the Tundra, Ford and Chevy and also the new Ram has had a running start for a good while. Even the Nissan Titan can't light a match to any of the Big three trucks. Game over.

I think its a smart move for Toyota to simmer down on its truck battles considering that buying trucks isn't a good idea at this point.

That isn't what toyota thought when they were going to turn the truck world upside down . Chevy Ford and Dodge truck owners have more passion about their vehicles than most automobile owners are, and getting them to change religions would be a tough call . I say most automobile ownere are as this forum would suggest that there are some strong devotees to certain namplates