MY350Z.COM - Nissan 350Z and 370Z Forum Discussion - Toyota claims Tacoma's will out-handle a 350Z

"With performance buyers in mind, there's even a Sport Package available that Toyota claims will out-handle Nissan's 350Z sports car"

Redesigned Tacoma pickup offers a view inside Toyota's U.S. product strategy

By John McCormick / Autos Insider

For insight into the strategy of one of the world's most successful automakers, look no further than the imminent launch of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup.

In many ways, this Tacoma, the eighth generation of a long line of Toyota Motor Co.p. compact trucks dating back to 1964, exemplifies the Japanese auto giant's approach to the U.S. market.

Although the latest Tacoma was developed largely by Toyota's Hino truck manufacturing subsidiary in Japan, there was significant input from Toyota's technical center in Ann Arbor. And starting this fall, the vehicle will be assembled at New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., the Toyota/General Motors Corp. joint venture manufacturing facility in Fremont, Calif., and at Toyota's new plant in Baja, Mexico.

As a U.S.-focused vehicle, the Tacoma has long been useful to Toyota for introducing young male consumers to the brand's entire range. In the process, it has accounted for 10 percent of the company's American sales.

While the light truck market overall has stagnated recently, Toyota believes its formula for the '05 Tacoma -- significantly larger, more powerful and better equipped than its predecessor -- will reignite the segment and, in the words of Bob Carter, Toyota sales vice president, “leapfrog the competition."

A glance at the truck's specifications suggests that Carter's view may not be far off the mark.

The new Tacoma is 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider than its predecessor, with new four-

cylinder and V-6 engines, both significantly more powerful than those in the previous model.

One notable feature of the engines is variable valve timing, or VVT, a technology that allows more efficient operation in terms of power output and fuel economy. Even more significant is the fact that every vehicle that Toyota offers in the United States -- car or truck -- is now equipped with VVT engines.

If only Detroit's Big Three could make that claim.

In terms of market segment reach, the new Tacoma has the broadest range of any vehicle in Toyota's stable, with no less than 18 model configurations. Regular cab, double cab, short bed, long bed, 4x2 and 4x4 -- the Tacoma comes in so many flavors it's unlikely to leave buyers wanting.

The same comprehensive approach is evident in the Tacoma's revised interior, which has a multitude of features, including, on the safety front, side and curtain airbags. With performance buyers in mind, there's even a Sport Package available that Toyota claims will out-handle Nissan's 350Z sports car.

The Tacoma is just part of Toyota's light truck arsenal in the United States, but its position as the entry-level model, and a projected annual sales target of 170,000 units, make it a key player.

Rival automakers should take note that, as Carter says, "the arrival of the new Tacoma marks the first step in expanding our presence in the North American light truck arena."

Coming down the pike in mid-2006 is the next-generation Tundra full-size pickup, to be produced at Toyota's new plant in San Antonio, Texas. As with the latest Tacoma, which has improved dramatically in virtually every sense, we can expect similar progress on the Tundra.

Toyota may not always get the formula for a vehicle right on the first attempt, but it proves again with the Tacoma that continuous efforts to improve eventually pay off.

John McCormick is a columnist for The Detroit News' Autos Insider Web site and can be reached at jmccormick@@detnews.com.

http://www.detnews.com/2004/insiders...der-257723.htm