Got an Email from Toyota abt the 5th gen... not happy

[RunnerUp]

Here is the email I just received from Toyota USA, and it doesnt shed ANY light on their plans for a next generation 4Runner. Infact, it creates more questions than anything. Here it is

Here is the email.

Mr. ********,

We appreciate your continued interest in the 4 Runner!

We apologize; Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. does not currently have any announced plans to introduce a Prado or redesign the 4 Runner.

To receive information on the 4 Runner as it becomes available, please subscribe to our Current and Future Models FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #2008******** and is available for management review. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Quentin Holmes
Toyota Customer Experience

 

[josh220]

That kind of sucks, but I guess the last thing I needed at my age was to buy another truck, which is probably what I would have done when the 5th gen came out. Still would have been nice to see some drastic changes.

However, when they introduce the Hybrid 4Runner, why not just redesign it a bit at the same time?

 

[jharris2]

The response is not surprising. No company would want to divulge their plans before they are ready. Otherwise they would give the competition time to adjust their own plans.

 

[RunnerUp]

im not saying i was surprised by this response, as i assumed that i would get a generic response...

im just getting worried about the future of the 4runner, with this response, i figure we can safely assume that the 5th gen isnt coming this MY (09) so the best we can hope for is one in 2010.

 

[Uneek]

The response is not surprising. No company would want to divulge their plans before they are ready. Otherwise they would give the competition time to adjust their own plans.

:iagree: it comes down to the 'element of surprise'.

The more off guard the competition is, the better off the challenger will be. It is possible an employee, product manager, or even an executive at a Toyota competitor could very well be a Toyota owner and wants to know what Toyota is up to and plan around that.

I worked at companies where my coworkers and myself are using products and services from our competitors. And more often than not, I bring up what our competitors are doing when discussing how to better my company's position.

 

[JungleJim]

im not saying i was surprised by this response, as i assumed that i would get a generic response...

im just getting worried about the future of the 4runner, with this response, i figure we can safely assume that the 5th gen isnt coming this MY (09) so the best we can hope for is one in 2010.

We all knew the 5th generation wasn't coming as a 2009. All sources indicate 2010, but I wouldn't be surprised if Toyota extends that a year or two and puts their resources into other types of vehicles.

We apologize; Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. does not currently have any announced plans to introduce a Prado or redesign the 4 Runner.

Take out "introduce a Prado or" and you have... " Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. does not currently have any announced plans to redesign the 4 Runner.

They won't announce these plans over a year ahead of time.

What I'd really like to know is if Toyota plans on building the next generation here in North America.

 

[JungleJim]

Is the Lexus RX being redesigned for 2010? According to this article, it is....
http://www.leftlanenews.com/lexus-rx-future.html

I wonder if Toyota will redesign both the RX and the GX in the same year?

If not, then the GX will probably be 2011. Thus it the 4Runner might be 2011 also.

 

[RunnerUp]

well if you look at the time lines for redesigns on 4runners -

84-89 1st gen
90-95 2nd gen
96-02 3rd gen
03-10? 4th gen

it almost looks like a pattern of toyota increasing the length between redesigns at this point, 2011 doesnt make much sense to me though, just a little too far off but hey, with oil the way it is and people thinking "green" its not far fetched.

either way, i guess its good judging that we just got an 07 and it wont even be payed off till 10 or 11...

 

[JungleJim]

...it almost looks like a pattern of toyota increasing the length between redesigns at this point, 2011 doesnt make much sense to me though, just a little too far off but hey, with oil the way it is and people thinking "green" its not far fetched.
[/B]

This is why I think it's possible for Toyota to extend the timeline:

1. The 4Runner is sold all over the world in one form or another on this platform. The rest of the world isn't as hung up on the frequency of redesigns as the U.S. is (except maybe Japan).

2. With the current fuel situation, I don't think a redesigned 4Runner would increase sales much.

3. I'm sure Toyota has a new model all ready to go. But they might want to spend a some time tweaking it a little now in light of the world energy situation.

Who knows their plans for sure. I just hope they are more foresighted than GM. But even GM is changing plans in light of the fuel situation. GM said they will concentrate on fuel efficient vehicles in the short term, and not spend resources and time redesigning their trucks.
I hope Toyota doesn't spread it's resources too thin.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I think the future of fuel prices will determine alot of what all manufacturers plans are for all their vehicles especially their ones that get so-so MPGs.