westwind77
New member
These vehicles have a long life cycle, so it would be nice to know what kind of sales numbers Toyota needs to justify a new generation in ~ 2017.
Well, everything is 'relative'. Numbers alone mean nothing without something to relative to compare them to. Sure the number of sales are lower than the 4th was in 03', but what was the overall vehicle sales in the nation then? How many were SUV vs Cars? If there were 5 million vehicle sales in 03' and the 4R captured 100k of those great, but say there were only 500k vehicle sales in 10', and the 4R captured 40k of those. Sure 10' sold less but had a much higher percent of the market.
The best comparison you can do is the latest data, there was a massive increase from 09' to 10', but 08' & 10' was just about the same. The increase in 10' tell me that the in 09' the 4th gen was just too 'dated' for the market. Spending 40k on an 09' 4th vs what the competition was offering was no match. I got into a used 09' once, felt like I was back in the early 2000's with the lack of technology and 'old' layout style.
Just like the Tahoe, I have a friend who owns a 00' - it is essentially identical to the 06's on the inside. A LOT changes in 6 years, which can be proven by the 07's+. Get in an 06' and compare it to an 07', night and day. It 06' it would be crazy to invest into 'old' technology.
I think if they keep the 4R up to date with technology and style it will be around for a long time, if they let it slide, like companies seem to do, their sales will also.