Toyota Ponders T4R/FJC Fate

[My1stT4R]

Hello,

According to this ARTICLE, Toyota NA President Jim Lentz says they may not continue with the current generation or a new generation of T4R/FJC. He believes crossovers are the answer. :redbrick:

 

[Thai]

Wow...shocking!! Throw the FJ Cruiser out...but the 4runner?!!! If he says that the Sequoia is OK because it is linked to the Tundra, then isn't the 4runner linked to the Tacoma in the same way??? Hell, the 4runner is more alike to the Tacoma than the Sequoia to the Tundra! If he/Toyota cuts the 4runner, then will he cut the Tacoma too??

I guess everyone is focusing on the fullsize trucks these days. Ford has not updated their Ford Ranger lineup in ages! Chevy Colorado platform is slow selling...and production of it has dropped off. Nissan is on its way out. I can see Honda Ridgeline being cut in the future. Dodge is focusing everything on their fullsize Ram lineup...when was the last time that you saw an advertisement on Dodge Dakota?! So, I guess that Toyota is following the same line of thought.

Anyway, this is not good news for us. Maybe this is why Toyota did not invest much in the 5th gen????

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I can see the FJ going away (it's hard to evolve a retro vehicle design) but the 4runner?

 

[Duhockey]

Hello,

According to this ARTICLE, Toyota NA President Jim Lentz says they may not continue with the current generation or a new generation of T4R/FJC. He believes crossovers are the answer. :redbrick:

Ditto with the :redbrick: why is it that everyone but these CEO/presidents know what the smart decision is, but they dont take it?? Look at the stuff going on with NBC and Conan... another perfect example of running your brand into the ground..

I think one problem is what they turned the 4runner into over the past 2 gens, if it was closer to the 3rd gen, would it be put in the same category?? I think they sealed its fate by making it more like the FJ than its own thing.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

One of the two will not be around in 3-5 years, but I highly doubt both will get the boot. My guess is the FJC will get cut. The 4runner is more practical than the FJC and has almost the same abilities.

 

[PredBlue]

I was told by a sales manager that deals exclusively with truck sales planning/ordering/etc., that the future of the 4Runner probably had more to do with what other manufacturers are going to be doing in this class, than any other vehicle in Toyota's lineup. From what he gathered at regional/national sales meetings, the current line of thinking is that with other manufacturers cutting production or even discontinuing models in the SUV category, this could actually present an opportunity for Toyota to gain sales by getting those customers. The trick in getting that market share is to determine if that can be best accomplished by offering something that nobody else does (like the 4Runner more or less does right now) or start offering more of a mainstream/middle of the road vehicle (like the position the Highlander occupies in the current marketplace.) His point was unlike pickups, were there is a definite plan of what Toyota wants to do, the 4Runner is much more of a wait and see what market opportunities present themselves through other manufacturers actions.

What he told me awhile back seems to kind of match up with what the article states. I guess there is some sort of logic to that approach. Maybe.

 

[004Gunner]

I would expect the Sequoia to get cut well before the 4Runner. The FJ would likely get cut before as well. The 4Runner is just too well known and liked, and after all, they are talking about what is essentially a popularity contest. I see 4Runners all over the place and spanning several generations, the only exception being the 1st gen. It's too soon to call it accurately because of the 5th gen. In fact, I would not be surprised if this is just a back door marketing ploy by Toyota

 

[JohnsD90]

They won't knock the tacoma, there are plenty of them about, and they would be stupid if they did, the others are dropping there light duty truck which would give toyota a monopoly over the light truck market in america.

 

[VNT]

I can see them dropping the FJ, not the T4R. Between all the x-overs and suv's something will have to go. As far as Tacoma, I highly doubt they will discontinue it. It just too good of a product.

 

[morphius909]

The Truck/SUV generations seem to last approx 7 years with Toyota.

7 years is a long time for things to change. No need to panic yet. The CEO might change, the World might End..we might get invaded by Aliens....

 

[qs933]

The Truck/SUV generations seem to last approx 7 years with Toyota.

7 years is a long time for things to change. No need to panic yet. The CEO might change, the World might End..we might get invaded by Aliens....

There's some time for them to make a decision, but it's not 7 years. Planning for the next generation starts way before the end of the current generation. To keep to the same life cycle, a decision on the next generation will need to be made relatively soon.

From what he gathered at regional/national sales meetings, the current line of thinking is that with other manufacturers cutting production or even discontinuing models in the SUV category, this could actually present an opportunity for Toyota to gain sales by getting those customers.

That's a good point. A good example is the Ford Crown Victoria -- once Chevy pulled the RWD Impala/Caprice, Ford had the lock on the police/taxi market. Of course, that just extended the life of the existing model. It didn't result in a "next generation" of Crown Victorias and, if I remember correctly, Ford already announced the phasing out of the model.

 

[Uneek]

I think the FJC will be dropped within 2-3yrs. The 4Runner will hang around for another 5-7 years, since a new generation was recently introduced. It seems like the Trail Edition is Toyota's preemptive move to fill the FJC's void. I think the FJC is similar to their goals with MR2 Spyder, merely to chase some market share of what's popular at the time.

They mention platform sharing, the 4Runner, FJC and GX are the same platform and to a limited extent the Tacoma. It's a more universal platform that includes other overseas model than the Tundra platform or car wise, the Corolla's.

Toyota compact and midsize trucks have sold themselves pretty well. There are six 2005+ Tacomas within a block of me. I don't see the Tacoma going anywhere.

I think the fate of the Sequoia rests on the Yukon/Tahoe and Expedition, if those die, so does the Sequoia.

Ford's decision is on the Crown Vic opened doors for the Dodge Charger.

 

[charlier180]

I think the fate of the Sequoia rests on the Yukon/Tahoe and Expedition, if those die, so does the Sequoia.

Interesting announcement from Ford regarding Large SUVs....

Ford ramping up production of large SUVs

Remains to be seen if the demand for these vehicles is a trend or a blip.
Time will tell.

Hopefully the 4Runner survives the Toyota SUV model consolidation that is sure to be coming.

 

[SecretAgent]

well i guess it's a good thing the 3rd and 4th gens are just about perfect, we don't need another 4runner, lol. i mean, really what can they improve upon besides looks? the 5th gen already proved they're not willing to add much functionality (full time 4wd only on limited, too small a number of trail editions, no power closing rear hatch, etc). i'm happy with my 03 limited, but my ideal 4runner would be an 09 trail runner.

 

[steezemcqueen]

put a manual in the 6th gen t4r, change the dimensions slightly to improve offroad abilty, and ramp up the aftermarket support. then there will be no need for the FJC

 

[cencyc]

Too Many?

One of the problems may be a lack of distinction in the Toyota SUV line, and the latest generation is not helping. The 4Runner is getting lost among the 6 choices. The FJ is very distinctive, but it has a niche market. Want just a little more? Why not go with the Sequoia or Land Cruiser? Want just a little less? There's the Highlander and RAV4. What is the message for the 4Runner? What is truly distinctive about it to the average consumer?

Too many choices is a big problem. Over the past few years, research has shown that too many choices causes decision making paralysis in people. 20 choices of peanut butter? Never mind...I'll go with Nutella. For autos, Honda is a great example. Want a passenger car? 3 real choices - Accord, Civic or Fit (and that is a recent addition). Each very distinctive (though the newer Civics are about the same as older Accords) with limited packages/options. Want more luxury? Go to the Acura dealer. And there you really only have 3 car choices...

For those who know and love 4Runners (and off-roading), the 4Runner is just right...but most buyers don't fall into this category. I'm currently looking for a great 3rd Gen T4R and see that they are valued for their distinctive features (great road car and great off-road truck in one package). I just sold my 07 SR5 because I did not perceive that it was as fitting for my wants as a 99 Highlander Package or 02 Sport Edition.

My $0.02 - Toyota should drop the Highlander and Sequoia and come up with a distinctive message for the 4Runner.

 

[toto]

The 2011 Ford Explorer is a crossover. Same name but totally new vehicle. I hope Toyota doesn't follow their lead. If one jumps off the cliff, do they all jump??

 

[JohnsD90]

If one jumps off the cliff, do they all jump??

We will find out, wont we.

 

[qs933]

The 2011 Ford Explorer is a crossover. Same name but totally new vehicle. I hope Toyota doesn't follow their lead. If one jumps off the cliff, do they all jump??

Ford lacks a mainstream, mid-size 3-row crossover (they axed the Taurus X and the Flex is hardly mainstream), so it makes sense that they are "repurposing" the Explorer.

Toyota already has the Highlander in the mid-size, 3-row crossover class, so I doubt we'll see it morph into that. I think it'll either continue on as a truck-based vehicle or cease to exist.

 

[toto]

True, but my main point is that Ford is dropping their mid-size body-on-frame SUV and replacing it with a crossover. If Toyota is looking to see what happens in the rest of the SUV market, this isn't a good sign.