Mike sweers chief engineer interview

Came across this youtube video last night, toyotas chief engineer mike sweers talks about the 4runner, tacoma and upcoming tundra.

i thought it was pretty interesting.

5:37 and 13:00 in are tacoma.

Talks about all the competition in midsize segment and what may or may not happen with updated tundra.

https://youtu.be/YppBqPCbwqc

 

Thanks for posting this.

 

No problem

 

Very good interview & gives a better perspective on what Mike has to deal with. I have a feeling he would like to change/update things but his hands are tied by Toyota being Toyota, bean counters & the CAFE fuel requirements. The federal fuel requirements are ridiculous if you ask me. Why mandate a certain MPG for automakers. If customers don't want a gas hog they wont buy one its that simple. Toyota shouldn't have to neuter my truck because the feds think all vehicles should get 50mpg. I think the Tacoma will benifit in the future with improvements now that it has some legit competition as he alluded to in the interview.

 

Completely agree, it's gonna get interesting once the tacoma and tundra get their next update.

 

100% agree. Let the market dictate the product, not ignorant bureaucrats.

 

Great video. It's obvious he has a passion and cares about his product (trucks!), I also very much appreciate the "we will go at our own pace, and deliver a reliable vehicle" approach to things. While there has been tons of tsb's for the newer Taco's, Toyota is fixing all the issues that pop up. Just like they handled the rusted frames. Coming from a ford, that counts for something.


I was interested in his demographics comment and this is a decent piece I found. Not toyota specific, but more mid vs fullsize.

https://b2b.autotrader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/PICKUP-TRUCK-STUDY.pdf

Another one with Taco specific facts
https://www.torquenews.com/1083/2017-toyota-tacoma-fun-ownership-facts

 

Good video. Thanks for sharing !

 

Great video. Was only going to watch the Tacoma segment, but ended up watching the whole thing. Thanks for sharing!