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Toyota To Delay Introduction Of The 2008 4runner, Will Extend Production Of The Current Model Into 2007 And Beyond
Mark Rechtin
Automotive News / March 30, 2005 - 6:00 am
OJAI, Calif. -- Toyota Motors announced today that due to internal company issues, production and sales of the 2008 Toyota 4runner will be postponed for up to a year. The new 2008 4runner was to be introduced to the public in January 2007 at the Detroit Auto Show and is the first complete redesign of the popular SUV icon since 2003. Supplier and labor troubles at the Tahara and Hino assembly plant where 4runners have been made are blamed in part for the delay. The Tahara assembly plant was to introduce a new style of assembling vehicles from a Japanese manufacturer, bringing the suppliers closer to the actual assembly process by housing them on the same grounds. Over the past several months management at Toyota has sparred with union management over labor policies with the suppliers, causing pilot production runs of the vehicle to slip behind schedule. Pilot units of the ARB off-road limited edition 4runner have been beset by problems and the model itself is in jeopardy of being cancelled outright.
Additionally, sales of the current model have been at an all time high since the announcement of its replacement late last month, with order backlogs approaching 12 weeks. "4runnner owners are mostly enthusiasts by nature, and are somewhat dismayed by what they perceive as a step backwards in the development of the 4runner" said Akio Nishimura, engineer and spokesman for Toyota. "We recognize that we might have made a mistake in 1998 when the Supra was discountinued. We suffered significant financial losses from customer outcry over the discontinuation." Last month in response to the increase in demand of 2006 models, the base price of all 4runner models was increased by over $100, and it is thought that sales incentives such as Toyota's special financing rate will be discontinued going forward.
The 2008 4runner redesign has been under fire since early 2006 when details started leaking out in trade publications. Critics decried everything from the independent rear air suspension to the heavily-reinforced unibody design derived from the next generation Highlander. In response Toyota has leaked out details of a diesel engine option as an enticement to get 4runner owners to start to think favorably of the new design. "Even though we can't get it past federal smog regulations, we still think that continued development may pan out and we'll see that option as early as 2010." added Nishimura.
The entire current 4runner line will continue to be produced into calendar year 2007 and possibly 2008.
Mark Rechtin
Automotive News / March 30, 2005 - 6:00 am
OJAI, Calif. -- Toyota Motors announced today that due to internal company issues, production and sales of the 2008 Toyota 4runner will be postponed for up to a year. The new 2008 4runner was to be introduced to the public in January 2007 at the Detroit Auto Show and is the first complete redesign of the popular SUV icon since 2003. Supplier and labor troubles at the Tahara and Hino assembly plant where 4runners have been made are blamed in part for the delay. The Tahara assembly plant was to introduce a new style of assembling vehicles from a Japanese manufacturer, bringing the suppliers closer to the actual assembly process by housing them on the same grounds. Over the past several months management at Toyota has sparred with union management over labor policies with the suppliers, causing pilot production runs of the vehicle to slip behind schedule. Pilot units of the ARB off-road limited edition 4runner have been beset by problems and the model itself is in jeopardy of being cancelled outright.
Additionally, sales of the current model have been at an all time high since the announcement of its replacement late last month, with order backlogs approaching 12 weeks. "4runnner owners are mostly enthusiasts by nature, and are somewhat dismayed by what they perceive as a step backwards in the development of the 4runner" said Akio Nishimura, engineer and spokesman for Toyota. "We recognize that we might have made a mistake in 1998 when the Supra was discountinued. We suffered significant financial losses from customer outcry over the discontinuation." Last month in response to the increase in demand of 2006 models, the base price of all 4runner models was increased by over $100, and it is thought that sales incentives such as Toyota's special financing rate will be discontinued going forward.
The 2008 4runner redesign has been under fire since early 2006 when details started leaking out in trade publications. Critics decried everything from the independent rear air suspension to the heavily-reinforced unibody design derived from the next generation Highlander. In response Toyota has leaked out details of a diesel engine option as an enticement to get 4runner owners to start to think favorably of the new design. "Even though we can't get it past federal smog regulations, we still think that continued development may pan out and we'll see that option as early as 2010." added Nishimura.
The entire current 4runner line will continue to be produced into calendar year 2007 and possibly 2008.
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