Another "Pro" Thread

[BlacknTan]

First, a disclaimer.. All the thoughts here are presumptions on my part .. Just random thoughts as I see them, certainly not fact.

When the Pros were started a couple of years ago, I think it was a product of ideas at Toyota USA.. not Japan. Hence the modifications done at the various ports of entry.

So, the questions .. Since the Pro seems destined to stay in the lineup for the foreseeable future, are the ports still performing all the operations necessary to convert a Trail to a Pro? Or, are the basic vehicles leaving Japan more as a Pro than when the idea was born? It would seem to make more sense to have the trucks enter the country with the trimming, suspension, wheels and tires in place before reaching the port .. and be more cost effective, leaving a greater margin for profit, which we all know is the bottom line.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

[1engineer]

First, a disclaimer.. All the thoughts here are presumptions on my part .. Just random thoughts as I see them, certainly not fact.

When the Pros were started a couple of years ago, I think it was a product of ideas at Toyota USA.. not Japan. Hence the modifications done at the various ports of entry.

So, the questions .. Since the Pro seems destined to stay in the lineup for the foreseeable future, are the ports still performing all the operations necessary to convert a Trail to a Pro? Or, are the basic vehicles leaving Japan more as a Pro than when the idea was born? It would seem to make more sense to have the trucks enter the country with the trimming, suspension, wheels and tires in place before reaching the port .. and be more cost effective, leaving a greater margin for profit, which we all know is the bottom line.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

TRD is exclusively US. Every region of the world has their own TRD, like JDM, Mugen, AMG, etc.

I am pretty sure they are still port installed options. I can find out for sure today.

As far as economics, the super low volume of the TRD PRO 4Runner means it would cost MORE to change the assembly line for a couple thousand units when the line produces several hundred thousand (close to a million I believe) of Prado, GX and 4Runner chassis and bodies. Also all of the Pro sales are in US and Canada.

My .02

 

[Cymon]

I posted this on the what did you learn about your 4Runner thread, but I believe it has relevance here to support the [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] 's point. When I was walking around during my 25k service today I noticed these stickers on the windows. The Landcruiser gets 95% of its parts installed in Japan. The 4Runner...100%. So even with changing out the suspension and badging it would still be way more cost effective (and likely reliability effective i.e. Quality control) to just add on the parts once it gets off the boat.

 

[Jaydub514]

First, a disclaimer.. All the thoughts here are presumptions on my part .. Just random thoughts as I see them, certainly not fact.

When the Pros were started a couple of years ago, I think it was a product of ideas at Toyota USA.. not Japan. Hence the modifications done at the various ports of entry.

So, the questions .. Since the Pro seems destined to stay in the lineup for the foreseeable future, are the ports still performing all the operations necessary to convert a Trail to a Pro? Or, are the basic vehicles leaving Japan more as a Pro than when the idea was born? It would seem to make more sense to have the trucks enter the country with the trimming, suspension, wheels and tires in place before reaching the port .. and be more cost effective, leaving a greater margin for profit, which we all know is the bottom line.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

The majority of the work is being done at the ports upon arrival, this has been the same process since the introduction of the TRD Pro in '15.

Like it was mentioned, it's actually more cost effective this way as they can roll off the assembly line and not stop things just to put all the additions on. From a logistical point of view it makes more sense for them to keep the process moving. Another surefire way to know that this is happening at the port - the TRD Pros have a significantly longer time in the 'port processing' stage on dealer daily than any other trim level. Average time spent in that stage is about 2-3 weeks, vs. the other trim levels which move past that stage within a few days and can be out to delivery much sooner to dealerships.

 

[BlacknTan]

Yes, I see the points made, and I guess it does make some sense ..

Thanks for the replies.

 

[phillyd2]

First, a disclaimer.. All the thoughts here are presumptions on my part .. Just random thoughts as I see them, certainly not fact.

When the Pros were started a couple of years ago, I think it was a product of ideas at Toyota USA.. not Japan. Hence the modifications done at the various ports of entry.

So, the questions .. Since the Pro seems destined to stay in the lineup for the foreseeable future, are the ports still performing all the operations necessary to convert a Trail to a Pro? Or, are the basic vehicles leaving Japan more as a Pro than when the idea was born? It would seem to make more sense to have the trucks enter the country with the trimming, suspension, wheels and tires in place before reaching the port .. and be more cost effective, leaving a greater margin for profit, which we all know is the bottom line.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

:suspicious: :rofl:

 

[(none)]

First, a disclaimer.. All the thoughts here are presumptions on my part .. Just random thoughts as I see them, certainly not fact.

When the Pros were started a couple of years ago, I think it was a product of ideas at Toyota USA.. not Japan. Hence the modifications done at the various ports of entry.

So, the questions .. Since the Pro seems destined to stay in the lineup for the foreseeable future, are the ports still performing all the operations necessary to convert a Trail to a Pro? Or, are the basic vehicles leaving Japan more as a Pro than when the idea was born? It would seem to make more sense to have the trucks enter the country with the trimming, suspension, wheels and tires in place before reaching the port .. and be more cost effective, leaving a greater margin for profit, which we all know is the bottom line.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

First, what parts are swapped out at port? I was under the impression only the wheels were swapped over with the necessary fender mods.

You figure the basic TRD 4runner is unique to the TRD PRO, as it's a trail premium without a moonroof (or a regular trail with softex), different suspension, badging, shifter, grill and facias, plus the TRDP specific colors. Someone posted pics of their inferno TRDP still at port, looked to be delivered on steel wheels, but everything else looked like it was already installed?

I posted this on the what did you learn about your 4Runner thread, but I believe it has relevance here to support the [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] 's point. When I was walking around during my 25k service today I noticed these stickers on the windows. The Landcruiser gets 95% of its parts installed in Japan. The 4Runner...100%. So even with changing out the suspension and badging it would still be way more cost effective (and likely reliability effective i.e. Quality control) to just add on the parts once it gets off the boat.

Those stickers reference where the parts actually come from (the percentages), as in where the parts are produced. I'd imagine the LC has some driveline components in common with the tundra?

That doesn't mean the LC are assembled at all in the US.

 

[1engineer]

...different suspension, badging, shifter...

Port Installed:
Suspension
Wheels
Tires
Shifter
Mats
Badging

From Japan:
Trail Edition 4Runner (now TRD Off Road Edition 4Runner)
Unique Paint Color
Pro Front Facia and Grille
[MENTION=120065]BlacknTan[/MENTION] you have to remember that the 4Runner Pro is only one vehicle they modify at the port. Many other Toyota vehicles are modified at the port as well. For example, some regular 4Runners gets an "XP" package in the southwest added at the port. They consist of a different grille and wheels. Here in the mid atlantic region, specific 4Runners get running boards, hood protectors and roof rail cross bars added at the port along with all weather mats.
Other Toyota vehicles (Land Cruiser, Prius, Yaris) that are shipped in from overseas get region specific options added at the port as well.

 

[Cymon]

Those stickers reference where the parts actually come from (the percentages), as in where the parts are produced. I'd imagine the LC has some driveline components in common with the tundra?

That doesn't mean the LC are assembled at all in the US.

Correct about the % are for where the parts actually come from, although If the LC and tundra do have driveline components (which I admit I do not know) then I would think it would actually mean that driveline components for both were produced in Japan. Because the LC platform is an international platform (shared with the Lexus LX570) it stands that the majority, if not all engine, drivetrain and transmission components would be produced and assembled in Japan (for cost and quality control).

And yes I agree tha does not mean that the LC is assembled at all in the US. Actually I'm almost positive nothing is added in the US, one of the main reasons that there are no options packages for the LC. I just thought the % were interesting and something I was not aware of.

 

[(none)]

Port Installed:
Suspension
Wheels
Tires
Shifter
Mats
Badging

From Japan:
Trail Edition 4Runner (now TRD Off Road Edition 4Runner)
Unique Paint Color
Pro Front Facia and Grille
[MENTION=120065]BlacknTan[/MENTION] you have to remember that the 4Runner Pro is only one vehicle they modify at the port. Many other Toyota vehicles are modified at the port as well. For example, some regular 4Runners gets an "XP" package in the southwest added at the port. They consist of a different grille and wheels. Here in the mid atlantic region, specific 4Runners get running boards, hood protectors and roof rail cross bars added at the port along with all weather mats.
Other Toyota vehicles (Land Cruiser, Prius, Yaris) that are shipped in from overseas get region specific options added at the port as well.

Thanks!
I can see the rest of the stuff, interesting they choose to do the suspension over here.
I wonder what they do with all of the extra 17" steel wheels/dunflop tires (I assume it's the same as our spares are)? Send them back to the motherland with all of the shocks and springs or do they pile up? I could use some of those wheels...

 

[Lindenwood]

:suspicious: :rofl:

Care to elaborate?

1engineer's post made it indeed sound like Trails are made with a few options (paint color and fascia), and the rest of the "Pro" mods are done at the port. No?

 

[phillyd2]

Care to elaborate?

1engineer's post made it indeed sound like Trails are made with a few options (paint color and fascia), and the rest of the "Pro" mods are done at the port. No?

When given the choice between 1E and me then ALWAYS go with 1E.

The way he worded what I bolded just struck me strange. That's all.