Toyota fears bigger 2008 Sequoia is too big
10-10-06, 09:12 AM
#1
Speaks French in Russian
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Toyota fears bigger 2008 Sequoia is too big
We're beginning to feel like ToMoCo's having a real Goldilocks-like internal management problem. The past few years of the first-gen model of the Sequoia have been criticized by many as having a model smaller than other SUV's in the "large and in charge" segment, but now some execs inside the automaker from the land of the rising sun are afraid that pendulum's eschewed "just right" and swung way too far in the other direction. While normally, we'd expect the execs talking all sorts of trash internally to remain nameless, this time they're going on the record. Automotive News reports Don Esmond, senior veep of automotive ops at Toyota Motor Sales USA as saying:
"I worry about the Sequoia being too big and not having enough fuel economy, more than I do with the (redesigned) Tundra...[A driver of a full-sized pickup]...won't worry about getting two miles per gallon less, if it's the only thing that can haul his work gear. But there are a lot of choices besides an SUV for hauling your kids to soccer practice."
Esmond's of course...
...talking about the Sequoia's platform, the same humongous one used by the new Tundra pickup, a full-size pickup that's so full-size (how full-size is it?), it doesn't even fit in dealership service bays. You'll remember we reported last month that was a major reason for the one year delay between the unveiling of the truck and its actual release...this next year.
But, now that Toyota's tasted the higher per vehicle profits of the large- and premium-SUV market -- they've been quite unhappy with the drop from a 9.8% share of the market in 2002 to the 6.4% share so far this year. Because no matter how many Prius (Priii?) they sell -- the sales of one Sequoia we hear garners more profit. – Ray Wert
"I worry about the Sequoia being too big and not having enough fuel economy, more than I do with the (redesigned) Tundra...[A driver of a full-sized pickup]...won't worry about getting two miles per gallon less, if it's the only thing that can haul his work gear. But there are a lot of choices besides an SUV for hauling your kids to soccer practice."
Esmond's of course...
...talking about the Sequoia's platform, the same humongous one used by the new Tundra pickup, a full-size pickup that's so full-size (how full-size is it?), it doesn't even fit in dealership service bays. You'll remember we reported last month that was a major reason for the one year delay between the unveiling of the truck and its actual release...this next year.
But, now that Toyota's tasted the higher per vehicle profits of the large- and premium-SUV market -- they've been quite unhappy with the drop from a 9.8% share of the market in 2002 to the 6.4% share so far this year. Because no matter how many Prius (Priii?) they sell -- the sales of one Sequoia we hear garners more profit. – Ray Wert
10-10-06, 01:00 PM
#2
I always thought that having both the Sequoia and Land Cruiser (as well as the GX and LX) was a bit overkill for Toyota/Lexus. Current market trends are leaning away from SUVs, and although there is a need for more space/capacity, bigger sometimes isn't better.
Toyota has a good divide between the Rav4-Highlander-4Runner-Sequoia. Since the Land Cruiser is going, I think the Sequoia is fine as the lone max-sized SUV in Toyota's lots...
Toyota has a good divide between the Rav4-Highlander-4Runner-Sequoia. Since the Land Cruiser is going, I think the Sequoia is fine as the lone max-sized SUV in Toyota's lots...
Last edited by PhilipMSPT; 10-10-06 at 09:22 PM.
10-10-06, 01:08 PM
#4
Super Moderator
We never got the Sequoia down here (Rav4, 4Runner and Landcruiser only), but I have a friend from Texas with one who lives down the street and he remembers one time he took it over to the local Toyota we have here for service of some kind and was just near the entrance to the service bay and he could hear someone above in Spanish saying, "No quiero este Landcruiser, quiero este camioneta" "I don't want this Landcruiser, I want this SUV" and he pointed at the Sequoia.
Not everyone's cup of tea with its size, but it is one huge vehicle to be admired.
Not everyone's cup of tea with its size, but it is one huge vehicle to be admired.
10-10-06, 07:47 PM
#7
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I always thought that having both the Sequoia and Land Cruiser (as well as the GX and LX) was a bit overkill for Toyota/Lexus. Current market trends are leaning away from SUVs, and although there is a need for more space/capacity, bigger sometimes isn't better.
Toyota has a good divide between the Rav4-Highlander-4Runner-Sequoia. Since the Land Cruiser is gone, I think the Sequoia is fine as the lone max-sized SUV in Toyota's lots...
Toyota has a good divide between the Rav4-Highlander-4Runner-Sequoia. Since the Land Cruiser is gone, I think the Sequoia is fine as the lone max-sized SUV in Toyota's lots...
I really sincerely hope that you are wrong about Land Cruiser being discontinued.
How did you know?
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10-10-06, 08:48 PM
#8
Speaks French in Russian
Thread Starter
I see no need for this truck to be significantly bigger than it already is. I liked the fact that the Sequoia was directly in between the Expedition and Suburban size wise. It was a nice alternative. I dont think anyone was complaining about the size of the current one. But considering that the new Tundra is rediculously bigger than the model it replaces, I assume the Sequoia will get the same treatment.
Every car/truck is getting bigger and bigger each generation. Its crazy.
EDIT: I never heard of Toyota discontinuing the LC. That truck is a legend. We have seen spy shots of the LC too less than a month ago(as well as the LX). Unless you mean there is not going to be a 2007/8 model and it will come back the following year.
Every car/truck is getting bigger and bigger each generation. Its crazy.
EDIT: I never heard of Toyota discontinuing the LC. That truck is a legend. We have seen spy shots of the LC too less than a month ago(as well as the LX). Unless you mean there is not going to be a 2007/8 model and it will come back the following year.
Last edited by GFerg; 10-10-06 at 11:09 PM.
10-10-06, 10:23 PM
#10
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10-10-06, 10:56 PM
#11
Lexus Champion
I see no need for this truck to be significantly bigger than it already is. I liked the fact that the Sequoia was directly in between the Expedition and Suburban size wise. It was a nice alternative. I dont think anyone was complaining about the size of the current one. But considering that the new Tundra is rediculously bigger than the model it replaces, I assume the Sequoia will get the same treatment.
Everything car/truck is getting bigger and bigger each generation. Its crazy.
Everything car/truck is getting bigger and bigger each generation. Its crazy.
10-11-06, 06:26 AM
#13
Super Moderator
I have a friend who works in a Toyota dealer down here and he gets asked about Lexus about every other time someone comes in to look at the Landcruiser (no Lexus here yet), and people comment they would rather buy a Range Rover or Mercedes than get the Landcruiser (the concept of quality is rather vague down here, honestly people don't know, but prestige they know very well). I know of a similar type story with the Touareg.
Take a look at the Mexican price in USD:
http://mx.autos.yahoo.com/newcars/to...e_overview.php
10-11-06, 05:02 PM
#15
I thought the Sequoia was a good size for a full size truck. I think he should be worried that it's too big lol. There are definitely people ready to criticise Toyota for coming out with a big truck and denounce Toyota for pretending to be green by promoting the Prius and the other hybrids.
Honestly, they should just offer two powertrains for the Sequoia - V6 hybrid and a diesel lol.
Honestly, they should just offer two powertrains for the Sequoia - V6 hybrid and a diesel lol.
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