Consumer Reports Evaluation

...^^^... Excellent info. ... ... Especially for the "young punks" here.

Plus ... I don't think C/R has ever been a fan of Tacoma in their subjective views.

 

I'm no economics professor either, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Actually, I am technically a marketing professor (not a PhD) as I teach marketing at a university. Here's a bit of education for those who care (the rest can ignore). Sales volumes = how many units are sold, market share = percentage of the market. If the market is stagnant, then they are completely correlated. If the market is growing and your volumes remain constant or are not growing as fast as the market then you are loosing market share. Here is where things get complicated:

Lets say that Toyota is not losing sales volume but is not growing as fast as the market. Does this mean that something is wrong? It depends. Lets say that more people are now off-roading. One would think that these new people would be MORE likely to buy Tacomas so the fact that they are not gaining share would indicate a problem. On the other hand, lets say that the market is growing because more soccer moms want to throw their kids dirty sports equipment in the back. One would think that they would not be as likely to buy Tacomas and therefore Honda might be more the beneficiary. If the mix of people (their purpose/reasons for buying) is staying the same but growing in numbers then raw market share numbers are a good indicator of competitive impacts.

Toyota has to be careful. If they go after the soccer moms they may lose their dominance in off road (and off road posers). They may be perfectly willing to give this segment to Honda because they think their target segment is a better fit. If the market is shifting to soccer moms and off road is shrinking that strategy might be a mistake. Its all about understanding not only how the market is growing in raw numbers but who is buying and for what reason, picking a target, and providing that target with the best product for their specific needs.

The bottom line is that looking at market share and what it really means in a changing market is complicated. The raw numbers can lie.

 

I subscribe to CR and use it as a guide. Do I agree with all there conclusions? No, but on many things, they do nail it. Many years ago they pointed out the reliability of Toyota/Lexus and they were spot on. My 1995 Toyota pick up did 240,000 miles with no major repairs, just regular (and not so regular) maintenance. Then I sold it for 2500 bucks to a guy who drove it down to Costa Rica. Made the mistake of trying to save money buying a Nissan Frontier - a big mistake. One problem after another. 2016 & back to Toyota looking forward to the redesign. Bought the 4 cyl & immediately noticed a very bouncy ride, slightly better seating position & a very anemic engine. Made the mistake of thinking Toyota would put a real 4 cyl engine in their truck, comparable to my 2013 Rav4. Nope. They really should be ashamed of themselves. The Rav4 engine compared to the Taco 4 is night & day. But, for the reliability I'll put up with the bouncy ride and trade in for the V6 down the road.

 

Thank you. Your post cleared up a lot of questions I had. It's not as simple as I thought.

 

That's a terrific picture. Please don't take offense, but my Mustang could ride that road, at least what I can see of it.

 

Agree with dutchjim.. Thanx for pointing out the sub-markets if that's close enuf terminology. Tacoma is the choice in off-road. GM something in between, and Honda, queen of the refined suburban crowd. Be interesting to see where the Ranger will fit. And let's not forget the soon to come redesigned Nissan truck.
Could be the dark horse, who knows?
Regardless, in a couple years, we will have a lot of options. Wish I'd waited to buy.

 

I would imagine the new Jeep Pickup will be more geared towards the Offroad segment of the truck market too.

 

...^^^... Maybe that is what he said ... but I just don't see any used Gen 3 Tacoma's on dealer lots. ...

And almost every new Tacoma that hits the dealer lots are gone in a flash and Pro's are going at super prices before they hit the lot.

Maybe I am missing something ... but I just don't see people rejecting Gen 3 Tacoma's in GA & SC.
.

 

Competition is good.
"2017 Jeep Wrangler Pickup: Everything We Know
We can't wait for this truck."


http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a29009/2017-jeep-wrangler-pickup-info/

 

At one point, CR rated the Ford Taurus to be great and reliable. Enough said

 

I am the consumer. I will trust my own report.

 

It wouldn't make it there

 

This guy gets it.

That's exactly why I keep buying them. They may not be the best trucks for everyone but Toyota trucks are the best truck for me.

 

Totally agree with HalfWayThere quoted above. Needing a reliable service vehicle is my reason for putting up with the other negatives.

And that 4 cyl engine - really, Toyota, really???? What a joke!!!!

 

If it were a RENTAL Mustang, then no problem.

 

My Mom bought her Taurus new in 04 and still drives it everyday, no real issues. My Dad had an 09 Ranger up until this year, no issues and sold it for pretty good money since Rangers are no longer around. I bought my 92 Mustang in 1998 and I still have it, only the air bag diagnostic monitor, EGR Valve, and Inner Tie rod have failed in 18 years of use. If you take care of your vehicles they will most likely be good for the long term unless there is some sort of a design flaw.

 

This is the 2016 Nissan midsize truck as introduced in Europe this year.. The 2017 US truck?

 

I''m 72 and own a 3 Gen SR5 which (after a few tweeks) I really love it! I had 3 Tundras before that. I don't give a shit that you don't care what we think so FUCK you!!

 

Congrats! Like the earlier old guy (that apparently can't read, either) you're not who I'm talking about since you obviously use the internet. Man, I've never had a single post gather so much hate from guys who didn't actually read what I typed.
On top of that, the line "Why do you care what they think?" doesn't refer to what the old guys think. THEY means Consumer reports...Jesus. Get your tighty whiteys out of a knot, have a beer, and loosen up.

 

Yes, we older guys evidently don't read so well. IMO, your statement "why do you care what they think" was very vague as it could have referred to the "earlier older guy and me who apparently can't read" or Consumer Reports. I took it to mean those of us in the "older" group you denoted. My "tighty whiteys" (actually boxers) are not in a knot and thanks, I did have a Bud Light in your honor. I guess we "old" people are just in a different time and place. As one in the "young" group, go have a Heineken on me, have an orgasm when Hillary takes the stage, and remember....your generation will be in our group someday unless you find a miracle "anti-aging" drug. But, hey...I got up this morning (an amazing feat in itself), took the Harley for a "scoot", and then sat back (with a Bud Light) and reminisced about the old days.