T4R - Not enough love?

[DC Dude]

Seems like every car magazine out there, and even Toyota, seems to focus coverage/advertisement dollars on the Highlander or RAV4. :banana:

When's the last time anyone has ever seen a T4R commercial? Not since the '03 model came out, and it's been awhile since then.

How does the FJ Cruiser do offroad/snow compared to the T4R?

 

[watusippin?]

4Runner already has its name built up. I decided to pick my first one last week because of friends and family who would not shut up about how much they love theirs. You build a good car and it sells itself.

 

[Nuke]

Advertising? I don neeeed no steeeeenking advertising!

I bought my 1st T4R in '90. Sold in in 2002 with 205,000 miles on it and barely any issues besides normal PM. Bought a used '00 in 2002 and sold that this past January with 152,000 miles. Other than replacing the MAF myself, nothing but PM. I now have an '08 and figure I'll see what Toyota has in store sometime around '18 or 200,000 miles; whichever comes first.

And btw, besides those 3, I've owned 2 Camrys (sold an '88 with 215,000 miles and still have the '97 with 178,000 miles) plus an '81 Celica that I sold with 178,000 miles in near-showroom condition.

I LOVE my 4Ruuner and all my previous Toyotas.

 

[kylebacc]

they pretty much said it... doesn't need it :/

 

[charlier180]

even Toyota, seems to focus coverage/advertisement dollars on the Highlander or RAV4. :banana:

Highlander sales are roughly 5 Times greater than 4Runner sales and Rav4 Sales are 9 times greater.
Most companies tend to focus their advertising dollars on their higher volume, higher profit products. It appears that Toyota is no exception.

Personally, I do not agree with that idea as it seems to be a vicious circle that eventually leads to the product being discontinued.
The product is not a big seller so they do not put money into advertising it. Sales do not increase and usually decrease.
With decreased sales comes decreased profits on the product and pressure mounts to discontinue it.

Hopefully that does not happen to the 4Runner but one never knows.

 

[alaskaman]

The other morning I was at a light with a Land Rover on one side and a Jeep on the other. I said to myself that the only thing that they did that I could not do was spend more money.

"Don't mess with the best cuz the best don't mess".

:ak472:

 

[VNT]

it's a 4Runner, what else is there to add...

 

[Uneek]

I don't recall seeing an ad for the 5th, but quite a few for the 4th during it's run. Usually for the 4th it's during winter time and how Toyota vehicles are the official vehicles for a ski resort, with their trucks and SUVs romping through the snow. From time to time, it'll be rebates or special financing on the 4Runner or some Toyota-thon, etc.

 

[MikesToy]

I've seen one (forgot what the commercial is) where 2 guys were drinking beer at the back of a 5th gen @ a tailgate football party. If i see it on tv, i'll repost.

 

[Annoyed]

Also, remember that advertising depts are basically PR departments, and Toyota is trying to place a green image in the minds of consumers these days, what with we evil SUV owners being the cause of all the Earth's problems.

With the current regulatory climate in Washington, it's probably smarter for them to just keep making the things and try to fly under the radar.

 

[PredBlue]

I've seen two interesting things about 4Runner ads so far:

1.) I subscribe to the NHL's Center Ice package and since the beginning of December when I'm watching Canadian broadcasts of games involving western teams, I've seen at least one 4Runner commercial per game. It's a series of "action" scenes with 1st, 2nd, 3rd Gen 4Runners, a pickup (don't know which one---maybe old Hilux?), and I think an old LC or two. They show the various vehicles off road/trails/etc with a voice over touting Toyota's toughness and heritage, and something about how the 5th gen is the toughest most advanced, blah, blah, blah 4Runner yet.

What's missing? Zero shots (that I recall) of the 4th Gen (insert your opinions of why they don't want to compare the 2010 to the 2003-2009's here).

Anyway that's Toyota Canada ads I've seen so far, but nothing on US broadcasts yet.

2.) Here in Ohio, the largest dealer in the state is running new ads for Toyotathon (or whatever they call it). It's a typical local ad with a series of quick cuts/long shots of rows of new vehicles etc. What's interesting about that? Nothing---except that every time they cut to a scene with the GM of the dealership, he's standing next to a 3' x 4' blowup PHOTO of a 2010 4Runner . O.K., not haha funny, but it made me chuckle.

 

[offshorebear]

4Runners do not sell, so why advertise. I'm surprised they have pushed the 5th gen at least a little more

 

[techno]

Pick up any car magazine, especially the offroading ones like Petersens, and you will find plenty of ads for the new 4Runner. The past few months they been running full spread ads on page 2-3 too. Toyota are certainly pushing this model towards the more 'adventurous' buyer rather than the average joe who doesn't even own a sleeping bag.

 

[Orion427]

I'm kinda confused as to what niche the Highlander is supposed to fill. Is it the 4Runner lite built for the urban 2wd lifestyle? I just don't get it.

 

[Uneek]

Saw the 5th in a commercial today. It was a Toyota Half-time commercial about tailgating moments and giant submarine sandwiches. The commercial wasn't about the 5th and just showed the 5th above the belt line in the background. The color appears to be Magnetic Gray.

 

[peter78]

I'm kinda confused as to what niche the Highlander is supposed to fill. Is it the 4Runner lite built for the urban 2wd lifestyle? I just don't get it.

There are two type of vehicles that are not considered cool now. Full size body on frame SUV and station wagon. Car magazines slam the 4Runner because of what it is, not how it is built.

I also consider cross over SUV like the RAV4 and Highlander, station wagons. I like station wagons and have no problem with them, but the car industry hates them. You can call it a sports wagon, cross over anything but a station wagon.

Now the Venza is another attempt to build a wagon, a small one, but not sure how that will work. Just look at the Pacifica and how well it did.

 

[tahoeroscoe]

I dont know about the rest of the country but her in nor-cal there are 4runners everywhere, i think they sell themselves. And anytime one shows up used at a dealership they go quick. They are very popular around here.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Over the last couple of years I see the 4th gen commercial where the Runner is on a map on a table then leaves the map and heads to the floor.

Here's a 5th gen
YouTube - 2010 Toyota 4Runner Commercial

 

[92FS]

The entertainment weekly had a ad for the 4runner, this past week

 

[08UrbanRunner]

Now not to hate on our toyota kin- but it seems like any/every magazine I pick up, features if a toyota, the FJ. Now I have nothing against them, and they're great trucks, but I rarely see any 4Runners (new or old). But I'm sure after all these years they don't need any more advertising. They said in a recent mag I read that out of the 1.8 million sold from 84-09' 1.3 million are still on the road. Enough said..