Toyota may jump into heavy-duty truck market with 7.0L diesel
While Toyota is busy pouring cash into expanding battery production capacity for hybrid vehicles, they apparently haven't forgotten about the other end of their lineup. There remains the possibility that Toyota could add a heavy duty pickup to the Tundra lineup to compete with similar offerings from Ford, GM and Chrysler. Having noticed the popularity of diesel engines in those big trucks, Toyota is reportedly preparing a new 7.0L diesel V8 for the monster truck. If it comes to pass - perhaps as soon as 2011-12 - the big diesel would join a smaller unit in the light duty Tundra. That diesel announced at this years Detroit Auto Show is likely to be based on the 4.5L diesel that Toyota already offers in other markets in the Land Cruiser. Frankly, this seems like a bad time for Toyota to enter the heavy duty truck market. That segment is shrinking rapidly as the commercial buyers who are the main market for such trucks are being hit hard by the implosion of the real estate bubble and rising fuel prices. It seems unlikely that this truck and engine will ever come to market unless Toyota is really itching to stick it to the domestic manufacturers.
[Source: Inside Line, via Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
macmanic 11:04AM (5/29/2008)
Toyota is not only late to the diesel party - it seems that the party (in the US) is already over anyway. With diesel prices hovering between $0.60- $1.00 above gasoline in most markets (and no decrease in sight) as well as the sure to be included "diesel engine premium" on the purchase of these trucks I think Toyota is in for tough time trying to sell very many.
As a one time diesel advocate, and for the reasons above, I have now written diesels completely off my list.
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Tim Russell 4:04PM (5/29/2008)
"Wrong truck at the wrong time", "Answer to a question no one asked", "Not Good" these will be lines in the Auto Extremist if this goes ahead.
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Chris 2:11AM (5/30/2008)
I think you're wrong for the heavy duty truck segment. If someone needs this type of truck for work, they will buy one.
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Derek 6:53AM (5/30/2008)
Some of you are forgetting that having a diesel engine is not only about fuel economy.
Besides, with the V8 6sp Tundra rated at 14/18, a diesel would only have to get 17/22 to have the same running costs with the prices of $4.10 regular/$5.00 diesel I saw yesterday. Those numbers aren't inconceivable and the diesel would be a vastly superior driving experience with the torque that a 7.0L turbo diesel would put out.
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Drake 9:49AM (5/30/2008)
If this were GM or Ford introducing a giant truck with a 7.0L engine, the press and everyone who reads Autoblog Green would be all over them - bashing the domestic auto companies for building a truck that is heavy, inefficient, and wrong for the environment. But the fact that Toyota is on the badge, its all well and good for those who need a truck like this. Bunch of hypocrits.
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harlanx6 12:53AM (5/31/2008)
Toyota, you are very late to the dance, kind of like Ford's plans to offer a small diesel light truck five years after it should have been offered. Diesel's hayday is coming to a close. Yesterday I filled my F 350 and it was $165 for 33 gallons. I love my diesel, but I wouldn't even consider buying one now, and this one is going to set until the batteries go dead. You think the price of fuel is inelastic? Think again!
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luke 5:29PM (2/02/2009)
right on. toyota all the way. finally they made a big truck that will outrun and outlast all the rest. say goodbye to all of your domestic trucks. ha ha.
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