Motor Trend: GM May Be Responsible For Toyota Tundra Delay
11-06-06, 01:54 PM
#1
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Motor Trend: GM May Be Responsible For Toyota Tundra Delay
DETROIT STRIKES BACK!
Word is Toyota was forced to delay the launch of its new Tundra pickups when it realized GM's new GMT900 pickups would be available with the same classy interior as the SUV versions.
Toyota hurriedly reworked the Tundra interior to give it a more upscale feel, but suppliers have been struggling to meet the deadlines."
Word is Toyota was forced to delay the launch of its new Tundra pickups when it realized GM's new GMT900 pickups would be available with the same classy interior as the SUV versions.
Toyota hurriedly reworked the Tundra interior to give it a more upscale feel, but suppliers have been struggling to meet the deadlines."
Source: Motor Trend magazine, December 2006; Page 21 (Top Right)
11-06-06, 03:18 PM
#3
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Well I remember seeing that same basic interior design for the Tundra in spy shots from months ago so the delay must have come before then, or else the changes made aren't easily apparent to me.
But with that said, the upscale interior on the GM trucks looks hands-down better then the Tundra's IMO. The Tundra's interior looks clean if you just look at one side or the other, but the two-sided split down the middle of the dash thing is just dumb looking to me. And neither side looks particularly warm or luxurious either. Not that everybody cares about that in a truck, but a lot of people do and nobody thought that the 'warmer' and more luxurious interior would ever be found on a GM.
Maybe it's not assembled as well, but even that I'm unsure of as after checking out the GM interiors, they've surpassed the old Tundras in assembly quality IMO - so the new Tundras better have planned to leap frog not only the old Tundra but a little ways past that, too.
GM will also be offering a 6.0 w/ 380 to 403hp depending on the model with a 6-speed auto.
Granted this new Tundra certainly puts up a better fight mechanically - it is finally roughly on par with GM's offerings assuming the durability is on par as well (the old Tundras just didn't hold up very well to use and abuse in the real world of construction).
Guess we'll see.
But with that said, the upscale interior on the GM trucks looks hands-down better then the Tundra's IMO. The Tundra's interior looks clean if you just look at one side or the other, but the two-sided split down the middle of the dash thing is just dumb looking to me. And neither side looks particularly warm or luxurious either. Not that everybody cares about that in a truck, but a lot of people do and nobody thought that the 'warmer' and more luxurious interior would ever be found on a GM.
Maybe it's not assembled as well, but even that I'm unsure of as after checking out the GM interiors, they've surpassed the old Tundras in assembly quality IMO - so the new Tundras better have planned to leap frog not only the old Tundra but a little ways past that, too.
GM will also be offering a 6.0 w/ 380 to 403hp depending on the model with a 6-speed auto.
Granted this new Tundra certainly puts up a better fight mechanically - it is finally roughly on par with GM's offerings assuming the durability is on par as well (the old Tundras just didn't hold up very well to use and abuse in the real world of construction).
Guess we'll see.
11-06-06, 03:33 PM
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Toyota probably redesigned and then froze the interior design a year ago, and stuff like this usually has 18 month lead times. So Toyota probably knew that the truck would be late a long long time ago but it didn't leak out until now.
11-06-06, 03:39 PM
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In manufacturing with new designs, you can get quick turn prototype parts built very quickly, but the quality and consistency can be very poor. Going from first spin prototypes to production ready consistently high quality parts can be a long process with a lot of iterations needed. You need to calibrate your machines and tooling, all of which takes time. When you start cranking out about 18,000 parts per month you need to make sure that production yields are as high as possible because otherwise you're going to have bad parts piled sky high along with a lot of money going straight down the toilet.
Toyota probably redesigned and then froze the interior design a year ago, and stuff like this usually has 18 month lead times. So Toyota probably knew that the truck would be late a long long time ago but it didn't leak out until now.
Toyota probably redesigned and then froze the interior design a year ago, and stuff like this usually has 18 month lead times. So Toyota probably knew that the truck would be late a long long time ago but it didn't leak out until now.
Also, IMO, I still am not a big fan of the Toyota interior and I really think GM has stepped up with theirs.
11-07-06, 05:31 AM
#7
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If that's the 'new' new Tundra interior (pics) then it's still ugly. 
I'm with Threxx on this one.
I'm with Threxx on this one.
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11-07-06, 02:00 PM
#10
In manufacturing with new designs, you can get quick turn prototype parts built very quickly, but the quality and consistency can be very poor. Going from first spin prototypes to production ready consistently high quality parts can be a long process with a lot of iterations needed. You need to calibrate your machines and tooling, all of which takes time. When you start cranking out about 18,000 parts per month you need to make sure that production yields are as high as possible because otherwise you're going to have bad parts piled sky high along with a lot of money going straight down the toilet.
Toyota probably redesigned and then froze the interior design a year ago, and stuff like this usually has 18 month lead times. So Toyota probably knew that the truck would be late a long long time ago but it didn't leak out until now.
Toyota probably redesigned and then froze the interior design a year ago, and stuff like this usually has 18 month lead times. So Toyota probably knew that the truck would be late a long long time ago but it didn't leak out until now.
And Tundra's interior has been revealed for a loooong time now, much longer than what is common - full year before it goes on sales...
Gotta love GM press machine... we have been seing so many bogus new stories about Toyota in past few months... like Toyota lowering Tundra's production, Toyota delaying Tundra, Toyota delaying all models, Toyota adding to production of Camry on expense of Tundra, etc, etc.
11-07-06, 06:03 PM
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I have to agree with a lot of members here about the silver color of the dash and circular dials. I am not too sure if that is the way to go. That being said, the truck does separate the driver from passenger and looks very similar in design to a 18 wheeler truck in a sense.
I would rather see something along the lines of the Land Crusier/Lx470 speedo but I am sure they have used data from the 4runner/tacoma sales that has proven that the circles sell.
For GM, they do have something going for them and that is two separate designs for their dash, from a cost standpoint it might not work but from a choice and design standpoint the two designs will make sense.
As for Toyota delaying the Tundra because of materials, capacity stand point.
Not a chance.
They delayed the Tundra because it is not a great time to sell the new model during Christmas early new year. A lot of people and buyers are tied down doing other stuff at this time. Also there are a lot of days of work lost to holidays during this time.
I would rather see something along the lines of the Land Crusier/Lx470 speedo but I am sure they have used data from the 4runner/tacoma sales that has proven that the circles sell.
For GM, they do have something going for them and that is two separate designs for their dash, from a cost standpoint it might not work but from a choice and design standpoint the two designs will make sense.
As for Toyota delaying the Tundra because of materials, capacity stand point.
Not a chance.
They delayed the Tundra because it is not a great time to sell the new model during Christmas early new year. A lot of people and buyers are tied down doing other stuff at this time. Also there are a lot of days of work lost to holidays during this time.
11-08-06, 04:29 PM
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11-08-06, 05:21 PM
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Gotta love GM press machine... we have been seing so many bogus new stories about Toyota in past few months... like Toyota lowering Tundra's production, Toyota delaying Tundra, Toyota delaying all models, Toyota adding to production of Camry on expense of Tundra, etc, etc.
