WTF?? Toyota considering adding several more sport-utility variations to lineup

[NFS4]

Gawd damn, don't they have enough already?

Highlander -- Woohoo
RAV4
4-Runner
Land Cruiser
Sequoia

GLENEDEN BEACH, Ore. ? Already armed with five sport-utilities, Toyota Division is considering adding several more.

Jim Press, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., said the automaker is studying several sport-utility variations, including:

1. A body-on-frame sport-utility positioned below the 4Runner.

2. An off-road vehicle smaller than the RAV4, likely derived from the Matrix/Corolla platform.

3. A vehicle similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche.

The 4Runner has moved upward significantly in price with the elimination of its four-cylinder version. A base two-wheel-drive 4Runner SR5 lists for $26,845, including freight charges.

Avalanche - like vehicle?? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH:|:|

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=03196155

 

[PsychoAndy]

they're considering adding suv's and they looking up to the AVALANCHE?!?!?!

that is soooo not right

 

[J3anyus]

Avalanche = teh ugly.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: J3anyus
Avalanche = teh ugly.

Agreed; the Avalanche looks like ass

 

[MajesticMoose]

that's the converting truck thing right? It's an interesting concept i guess, hopefully toyota can make a non-fugly version. Still they've got enough SUVs already

 

[Pliablemoose]

I like the idea of the Avalanche, but it would look better without all the body cladding, that's what happens when everyone's on board with the Asstech mindset.

Can you imagine being one of the poor folks @ GM kissing up to the boss about the Aztek's looks & potential sales figures?

 

[prontospyder]

well, Toyota already rules in car sales....might as well steal some sales from GM/Ford in the lucrative truck/SUV business.

 

[LAUST]

Not only the one's NFS mentioned but all the Lexus one's too, they need to mellow out on that and get that 5.4 V8 before they even bother, or a better CAM for the 4.7

 

[Zebo]

That you be cool.

 

[BatmanNate]

Not good Toyota. First no more Supra (in US anyway) and now this. Don't pull a post 1970 Mopar on us all...

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

The only thing that matters is the new 4Runner. Toyota is going to kick Ford's ass again 1996-style. I wish they would keep the 3rd gen 4Runner for another year and put in the 4.7. Oh well, say bye bye to off-roading for 4Runner and bye bye to Ford Explorer sales.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Oh, I think the Highlander is the best all-around SUV available in America. Nice price, good looks, Toyota reliability, and it's not overly big like those ridiculous Tahoes and Suburbans (and Sequoias for you Toyota bashers ).

 

[ElFenix]

4 runner is going explorer route? being a non-functional off-road capability? sheesh... soon all we'll have is grand cherokee (maybe not even that) and pathfinder.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Oh, I think the Highlander is the best all-around SUV available in America. Nice price, good looks, Toyota reliability, and it's not overly big like those ridiculous Tahoes and Suburbans (and Sequoias for you Toyota bashers ).

the highlander looks like some weird box. at least its not as fugly as the rx300 though. that thing = weird.

of course, in my opinion none of these FWD unibody thingies is an SUV, they're all station wagons

 

[RossMAN]

I think they have enough as is, they need to concentrate on refining their current lineup.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Oh, I think the Highlander is the best all-around SUV available in America. Nice price, good looks, Toyota reliability, and it's not overly big like those ridiculous Tahoes and Suburbans (and Sequoias for you Toyota bashers ).

the highlander looks like some weird box. at least its not as fugly as the rx300 though. that thing = weird.

of course, in my opinion none of these FWD unibody thingies is an SUV, they're all station wagons

Well, it's not for everyone, but we love ours. We've put 5,400 miles on it since getting it new in November ('02 model). But unibody doesn't = crap...it equals smooth ride most of the times with a stiff structure (the Liberty and Grand Cherokee are both unibodies). Considering that most SUV's don't go off-road, I think it's a fair compromise. The Highlander has more cargo capacity then station wagons, has a taller cargo area, and higher seating position (which I happen to like).

The new Pilot from Honda is about the best realized version of all of the "soft roaders" IMHO.

 

[Murphyrulez]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Oh, I think the Highlander is the best all-around SUV available in America. Nice price, good looks, Toyota reliability, and it's not overly big like those ridiculous Tahoes and Suburbans (and Sequoias for you Toyota bashers ).

the highlander looks like some weird box. at least its not as fugly as the rx300 though. that thing = weird.

of course, in my opinion none of these FWD unibody thingies is an SUV, they're all station wagons

Well, it's not for everyone, but we love ours. We've put 5,400 miles on it since getting it new in November ('02 model). But unibody doesn't = crap...it equals smooth ride most of the times with a stiff structure (the Liberty and Grand Cherokee are both unibodies). Considering that most SUV's don't go off-road, I think it's a fair compromise. The Highlander has more cargo capacity then station wagons, has a taller cargo area, and higher seating position (which I happen to like).

The new Pilot from Honda is about the best realized version of all of the "soft roaders" IMHO.

Ugh. The Highlander is too wishy washy ugly for me. Looks like a hybrid station wagon/minivan.

Can't believe they expect people to buy those things!!!

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
The only thing that matters is the new 4Runner. Toyota is going to kick Ford's ass again 1996-style. I wish they would keep the 3rd gen 4Runner for another year and put in the 4.7. Oh well, say bye bye to off-roading for 4Runner and bye bye to Ford Explorer sales.

AHAHAHAHAHAHA what? Toyota 4Runner has never been the #1 selling SUV since the Explorer was launched in 1990. The 4Runner wasn't even second in the late 90's - the Jeep Grand Cherokee took the #2 spot for most of the late '90s years for SUV sales. What are you talking about?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Murphyrulez

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Oh, I think the Highlander is the best all-around SUV available in America. Nice price, good looks, Toyota reliability, and it's not overly big like those ridiculous Tahoes and Suburbans (and Sequoias for you Toyota bashers ).

the highlander looks like some weird box. at least its not as fugly as the rx300 though. that thing = weird.

of course, in my opinion none of these FWD unibody thingies is an SUV, they're all station wagons

Well, it's not for everyone, but we love ours. We've put 5,400 miles on it since getting it new in November ('02 model). But unibody doesn't = crap...it equals smooth ride most of the times with a stiff structure (the Liberty and Grand Cherokee are both unibodies). Considering that most SUV's don't go off-road, I think it's a fair compromise. The Highlander has more cargo capacity then station wagons, has a taller cargo area, and higher seating position (which I happen to like).

The new Pilot from Honda is about the best realized version of all of the "soft roaders" IMHO.

Ugh. The Highlander is too wishy washy ugly for me. Looks like a hybrid station wagon/minivan.

Can't believe they expect people to buy those things!!!

In case you didn't know, the Highlander sells VERY well. It is #10 in sales for ALL SUV's sold in America (well, #9 b/c I don't really consider the PT Cruiser an SUV):

Sales May 2002 / Sales 2002 YTD

Ford Explorer 34,136 / 157,566
Chevrolet Tahoe 17,108 / 81,650
Jeep Grand Cherokee 16,700 / 87,149
Chevrolet All New TrailBlazer 15,596 / 90,162
Ford Escape 13,838 / 56,461
Chrysler PT Cruiser 13,727 / 62,526
Ford Expedition 13,175 / 59,634
Jeep Liberty 13,082 / 60,399
Honda CR-V 11,727 / 63,121
Toyota Highlander 10,602 / 46,229
Chevrolet Suburban 10,395 / 53,866
Chevrolet Blazer 9,388 / 51,894
Dodge Durango 8,799 / 44,846
Toyota 4Runner 7,420 / 30,773
Toyota RAV4 7,260 / 34,324
Nissan Xterra 6,885 / 33,152


http://www.autosite.com/editoria/asmr/svolsu.asp

 

[Luden]

common, everyone in the family needs a different style of suv to drive around the city in..

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Oh, I think the Highlander is the best all-around SUV available in America. Nice price, good looks, Toyota reliability, and it's not overly big like those ridiculous Tahoes and Suburbans (and Sequoias for you Toyota bashers ).

the highlander looks like some weird box. at least its not as fugly as the rx300 though. that thing = weird.

of course, in my opinion none of these FWD unibody thingies is an SUV, they're all station wagons

Well, it's not for everyone, but we love ours. We've put 5,400 miles on it since getting it new in November ('02 model). But unibody doesn't = crap...it equals smooth ride most of the times with a stiff structure (the Liberty and Grand Cherokee are both unibodies). Considering that most SUV's don't go off-road, I think it's a fair compromise. The Highlander has more cargo capacity then station wagons, has a taller cargo area, and higher seating position (which I happen to like).

The new Pilot from Honda is about the best realized version of all of the "soft roaders" IMHO.

i didn't say unibody, i said FWD unibody. and i didn't say crap. just that FWD and unibody = station wagon. heck, motortrend within the past year or so called the suburban a wagon. and both the liberty and the GC are RWD.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

It's interesting to see how well the Pilot is going to sell. (I'm sure its selling like hotcakes though)

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
It's interesting to see how well the Pilot is going to sell. (I'm sure its selling like hotcakes though)

Compared to other SUV's not very well. Honda doesn't have enough capacity to crank them out in large numbers.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Really? I thought Honda would want it to go head to head with the Explorer (my mom's boss drives a '90 Explorer right now, test drove a Pilot last week and loved it. Is also going to test drive the Explorer too later this week but he's almost dead set on it after hearing a bunch of other people rave about it)

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
It's interesting to see how well the Pilot is going to sell. (I'm sure its selling like hotcakes though)

Compared to other SUV's not very well. Honda doesn't have enough capacity to crank them out in large numbers.

Bingo. Didnt the MDX have a wait list as long as its wheelbase?