Toyota Needs to Step Up!

Mine was the 2wd Black SR5 Xtracab model with moonroof, fancy stereo, etc.

 

Some of you are are like my ex-girlfriend from a decade ago, she's still searching for a good man just as you will be searching for that perfect Tacoma. It's never coming guys, so grab a partner and make a little romance. I just hope none of you are getting fat while you're waiting.

 

You guys are awesome btw, and for the record I love my truck haha

 

I agree that reputation gets customers in the door -- features however get the customer a bigger monthly payment. Toyota doesn't need to hype up the Tacoma, the consumer is glad to do that on their own.

 

Incorrect. Each of the domestic truck manufactures will readily accept a factory order.

Ford and other domestic truck manufactures have thousands of iterations of their trucks. Wheelbase, transmission, engines, cab styles, etc, etc,. Yet, they can deliver you a custom ordered truck in about 6 to 8 weeks, and willingly take orders and deposits for those orders by the tens of thousands. Buyers do it all the time, trust me ;-)

Suggesting that the ability to "scale" production somehow negates Toyota's ability to deliver custom orders is simply incorrect, as proven by every domestic truck manufacture on the planet.

Somehow, those manufactures have created a manufacturing model that not only allows easy and simple customization of orders, but also are able to produce over 2.2 million (!) trucks while doing so! I have no idea why Toyota has a hard time with custom orders. But I can tell you without reservation that it not related to 'scaling'...

 

I venture to say it has to do with QDR and input costs. It's the reason why McDonald's doesn't allow you to build a burger.

I wonder how many domestic trucks are custom order, plus they have volume to make up for a unit that could lose margin on.

Plus there's the assache at the dealer level, people are fickle and change their minds leaving a dealer with a truck that no one might want. I imagine the desire for a single cab, regular box 4WD, 5.0, XLT in race red with an electronic rear locker would be a small audience vs. the I need room double cab lease special

 

Oh please tell me how many exactly do they custom order. I've worked for multiple dealerships and what I described is what happens 99.99999999999% of the time of that 2.2 million trucks less than .01% are custom ordered by someone. They don't readily do as many custom orders as you suggest or they would not even come close to producing the # of trucks in which they do unless they had a specific . Toyota will do the same thing for you. Mass market vehicles aren't the same as the bespoke makers and COPO of yesteryear. Those things have all but gone by the wayside for the mass market type stuff.

 

It's not happening at all on the scale in which is suggested. You're pretty spot on with your assesment. If the domestic manufacturers were doing what is suggested on the grand scale you'd be looking at lead times such that the semi custom boat market works on

 

THIS: Most people walk on a lot and want to leave with something today.

 

Keep in mind too that Toyota also has commercial sales, especially with the Tacoma. Yes, that can inflate the numbers, but they're still sales nonetheless. Companies (and governments alike) don't typically HAVE to stay with any certain manufacturer.

And yes, you're absolutely right that dealerships will go out of their way to find a truck matching your requests before actually ordering one, but they are willing to make a custom order and I know people who have gone that route with Ford, for example. It is a lot easier to customize. That being said, after trying and trying to make my perfect F150, I got fatigued and was relieved with the simplicity of Toyota's system. But to each their own on that.

You left out 2 mid size trucks in your sales comparisons, but your point is still very much valid. The Tacoma has a lot figured out as far as mid size trucks are concerned. Even with the "problem plagued" 3rd gen (as some claim). Just like the Fseries has something figured out as well. The only way those sales are beat are by combining Chevrolet and GMC sales.

 

Even if they don't have it they'll do a dealer search across the country and find it and have it to ya in a week or less vs 8-12 it's only those really picky can't please types that force a special order. MAYBE 10000 per year tops!!!!! and that may be pushing it.

 

Which 2 did I leave out Canyon/Colorado combined sales are only 155k Gladiator didn't really count for 2019 and then what else is there from 2019 there is no more suzuki, Dakota, or Mitsubishi

 

Toyota fleet sales MAJOR ones and to municipalities don't even come close to that of ford and you are still comparing a 6 product line against a 2 product line. Still not bad to be over 1/3 of the sales with less than 1/2 of the total truck market.

 

I think you can cater to that market when that’s literally the way you market the truck.

 

Factor in that something like a 1/4 of all vehicles are leased it's safe to say the typical consumer doesn't care. It just has to be the right model in generic terms, monthly payment and color. I see more pickups at Costco vs. the dunes or boat ramp.

Some people forget that "special ordering" a vehicle in some cases pretty much excludes rebates because of they must take delivery from dealer stock clause. I looked at ordering a MINi Cooper S and the rebates wouldn't apply.

 

I'd custom order a vehicle to get what I want. Beyond that if its's not on the lot I'm not going to buy it.

 

I suppose every Subaru driver shops at Whole Foods, enjoys hiking, skiing, yoga and other granola crunchy stuff?

 

I mean the trim is actually called the “Off Road.” I think it’s appropriate to put on more off road worthy tires.

 

All of them ;-)

Every.Single.One.

Since you worked at a dealer you know that every truck is a custom order. Makes no difference if Joe the Sales manager ordered it as an in-stock unit or Bill the customer ordered it. SOMEBODY did a custom order.

But again, you are missing the point: "Scaling" has zero to do with why or why not Toyota has embraced the domestic truck ordering model.

 

I was thinking about getting a sales job at a Toyota dealership just to give myself a good deal on a truck.