Toyota Plans to Conquest with Tundra

2007 Toyota Tundra CrewMax

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Toyota is hoping to make conquests in the pickup market, despite a “buyer’s market” and tough competition, to sell 200,000 of its new, completely redesigned Tundras per year, said Jim Lentz, Toyota division VP. What gives the new vehicle its competitive advantage, according to Lentz, is a “striking change in who the Tundra was designed for.” In aiming at serious work truck buyers, he explained, the automaker has upped the truck’s capacities significantly for towing and hauling, and also increased the size of important components like the differential.

Most important to this sales strategy is what many truck buyers wanted: an even roomier cabin with a regular bed. The new CrewMax has seating for six, including six inches of extra legroom in back and a fold-down center front seat. Toyota is planning on about 65 percent of Tundras to be CrewMax models.

Engine choices range from a 4.0-liter V-6 to a new 5.7-liter V-8 with 382 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. With a designated tow/haul mode, tow-hitch integrated into the subframe, and upgraded cooling and electrical part of the tow package, towing capacity with the 5.7-liter is up to 10,800 pounds, with two-wheel drive fuel economy of 16 city, 20 highway, and Lentz said that the 5.7-liter will be available with a flex-fuel, E85-compatible version next year.

Front side airbags and rollover-sensing side curtains are standard, along with four-wheel ABS and stability control.

Regular Cab and Double Cab Tundra models will reach dealerships in February, though the CrewMax will see first deliveries in March.

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