RHD Tundras for Austrailia

[Warrenk]

https://www.speedcafe.com/torquecafe...toyota-tundra/

[naddis01]

Interesting. I wonder when one of these manufacturers will bite the bullet and produce a factory RHD version.

[Franco Cozzo]

Was involved with a product for this particular project and the lengths of testing Toyota insisted on was ridiculous.

[Tonz]

not a real off road 4x4 hell imagine the dust in that IF one was game to tackle the strsleski track or similar

[Dr Smith]

Toyota and Walkinshaw will begin testing approximately 300 Tundra prototypes over the course of the next 12 months to ensure the conversion is to the standards customers have come to expect from the Japanese brand.

Could that number be correct?

[b0son]

If it's a true partnership with Toyota, it isnt out of the question. Toyota take development and testing pretty seriously, and its reflected in their reliability and how they're regarded in the marketplace. If they're willing to test that many vehicles, it sounds like perhaps RHD Tundras will be exported to other RHD markets as well.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Could that number be correct?

Doesn't seem right. There are only a handful of RHD F series getting around. And the whole Ranger program had less than about 300 final build prototypes hand built. And that's covering the whole range, lhd and rhd, Raptor, Everest and Amarok.

Unless they are talking about pre-production models that include the whole range of testing levels, from hand converted mules all the way through final engineering sign off prototypes. Basically any car used before they start being delivered to customers.

There is simply no need for huge numbers of physical prototypes now, as CAD/CAE etc has reduced the need for huge numbers of expensive hand built prototypes. And these Toyota's are only undergoing a conversion, they aren't being designed from scratch.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by b0son

If it's a true partnership with Toyota, it isnt out of the question. Toyota take development and testing pretty seriously, and its reflected in their reliability and how they're regarded in the marketplace. If they're willing to test that many vehicles, it sounds like perhaps RHD Tundras will be exported to other RHD markets as well.

Their reliability has taken big hits recently. Their new EV literally has the wheels falling off, and they had to buy them back from customers

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...oblem-buyback/

Toyota announced a recall for the bZ4X electric vehicle in June, acknowledging that wheels might detach from the car because of malfunctioning hub bolts and asking customers to stop driving the vehicle.
The automaker had been offering free loaners to affected bZ4X owners, but the deal has now been increased with more sweeteners as well as a new offer: Toyota will buy back the bZ4X outright.

[FTE217]

What leading OE hasn't had probs can I say.
In the big picture the Toy crowd despite their issues of today now and then the general volume vehicles they offer and sell in millions ala Corolla/Yaris/SUV's etc is all about %'s right.......
Their rep is still there to the general consumer here and abroad despite people jumping at the chance to bring em down that is fine thats human trait

IF they were that bad today the numbers sold don't reflect that, thats sheep better the devil you know than not.
IMO they are still one of the "smarter" OE's than most at the "volume" sector followed by Hyundai/KIA today.
If its not 300 lets say 200 or 100 Tundra's going through testing good policy hope it works out nothing like more competition in that sector hopefully bringing the triple price figures in the future.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Could that number be correct?

Following on from this, it seems it's mistrust of the 3rd party doing the conversions more than anything else.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/2023-t...e-know-so-far/

Toyota has never before undertaken a left- to right-hand-drive remanufacturing program on such a scale – nor has it entrusted the final assembly of one of its iconic models to a third party.

Which is why Toyota is taking twice as long to complete the engineering approval process compared to its US rivals, and doing so with considerably more validation vehicles.


Drive understands the Ram and Chevrolet remanufacturing programs typically involve up to six prototypes during the development of more than 500 locally-engineered parts over two years, before customer-ready vehicles start production.

In comparison, Toyota is taking four years and building 300 validation vehicles – in addition to the first handful of tooling prototypes – before approving the Tundra program.




It also explains why they are suggesting price will be in the 120-140k area. All that extra work and extra prototyping has to be payed for somehow.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It also explains why they are suggesting price will be in the 120-140k area. All that extra work and extra prototyping has to be payed for somehow.

That's still less than what big trucks are currently fetching. Never mind what the quoted RRP of RAMs is, they're selling for far more than that. An opportunity for Toyota to steal market share if dealers are willing to play nice.

[BENT_8]

Toyota being 'cautious' during its first steps in the 3rd party remanufacturing world is somehow a 'mistrust'.
I'd consider it due diligence for a company with a renowned reputation for build quality and reliability.

[jpd80]

Wasn’t F150 starting at just over $100k?
Or have costs blown out?

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by Tonz

not a real off road 4x4 hell imagine the dust in that IF one was game to tackle the strsleski track or similar

Don’t know about that?
Driven a few Tundras, and they’re every bit as capable as F series 4x4 in the rough stuff

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Wasn’t F150 starting at just over $100k?
Or have costs blown out?

They haven't released prices yet have they?

[au2000]

[QUOTE=Bossxr8;6737977]Following on from this, it seems it's mistrust of the 3rd party doing the conversions more than anything else.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/2023-t...e-know-so-far/

Toyota has never before undertaken a left- to right-hand-drive remanufacturing program on such a scale – nor has it entrusted the final assembly of one of its iconic models to a third party.

Which is why Toyota is taking twice as long to complete the engineering approval process compared to its US rivals, and doing so with considerably more validation vehicles.


Drive understands the Ram and Chevrolet remanufacturing programs typically involve up to six prototypes during the development of more than 500 locally-engineered parts over two years, before customer-ready vehicles start production.

In comparison, Toyota is taking four years and building 300 validation vehicles – in addition to the first handful of tooling prototypes – before approving the Tundra program.



not exactly a negative... just being very cautious and verifying everything will work to the reliability standards toyota generally expects ...

think its a given all of these US based "trucks" will be at least $120,000 plus, Id be shocked if Ford delivered a base model F150 into australia at $100,000 given that Ranger Raptors are already close to that, hell most sellers still want around the $80,000 plus for a bi turbo RRaptor second hand!

[FTE217]

[QUOTE=au2000;6738062]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Following on from this, it seems it's mistrust of the 3rd party doing the conversions more than anything else.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/2023-t...e-know-so-far/

Toyota has never before undertaken a left- to right-hand-drive remanufacturing program on such a scale – nor has it entrusted the final assembly of one of its iconic models to a third party.

Which is why Toyota is taking twice as long to complete the engineering approval process compared to its US rivals, and doing so with considerably more validation vehicles.


Drive understands the Ram and Chevrolet remanufacturing programs typically involve up to six prototypes during the development of more than 500 locally-engineered parts over two years, before customer-ready vehicles start production.

In comparison, Toyota is taking four years and building 300 validation vehicles – in addition to the first handful of tooling prototypes – before approving the Tundra program.



not exactly a negative... just being very cautious and verifying everything will work to the reliability standards toyota generally expects ...

think its a given all of these US based "trucks" will be at least $120,000 plus, Id be shocked if Ford delivered a base model F150 into australia at $100,000 given that Ranger Raptors are already close to that, hell most sellers still want around the $80,000 plus for a bi turbo RRaptor second hand!

Correct points regarding price to market.
Friends new RR just under $100k.
F150 will be on or about $130k plus plus plus easily you only need to look at Ram pricing forget base model look at high end.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CyberWasp]

All eyes now move to Nissan.
Can they make a Factory RHD Titan and undercut everyone 20 odd thousand.

[au2000]

Big call.. ud think if nissan tries.. they would be similar $$ to ram, f150, silverado etc

[Gothefalcon]

Originally Posted by Tonz

not a real off road 4x4 hell imagine the dust in that IF one was game to tackle the strsleski track or similar

By the time Toyota are ready to release these for sale in Oz, there won't be any dust left on the Strzelecki track

https://infrastructuremagazine.com.a...%20the%20track.

D

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Gothefalcon

By the time Toyota are ready to release these for sale in Oz, there won't be any dust left on the Strzelecki track

https://infrastructuremagazine.com.a...%20the%20track.

D

I wonder how wide the tar will be coz it's a wide track

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

All eyes now move to Nissan.
Can they make a Factory RHD Titan and undercut everyone 20 odd thousand.

Not even the yanks want the Titan.

[Rob 351]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Not even the yanks want the Titan.

Not many Yanks want the Tundra either

[smoo]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

All eyes now move to Nissan.
Can they make a Factory RHD Titan and undercut everyone 20 odd thousand.

Aren’t Nissan broke?
A gamble for any maker to spend R and D on this minuscule market. More so now the political ranks have been infiltrated by Green brainwashed parasitic filth… saw the newly appointed climate minister making threats the other day. Forgetting the fact he has a very punchable face, it is almost certain the owners of these vehicles are going to face financial penalties or freedom of movement restrictions before the end of the decade for driving something perceived as enviro damaging.

[kevino]

Like the Nz green taxes on vehicles?
That’s what I thought introducing F100/150
Tundra in an era of decarbonisation.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by kevino

Like the Nz green taxes on vehicles?
That’s what I thought introducing F100/150
Tundra in an era of decarbonisation.

Nz example is a one off tax that penalises the first owner.
But a good stepping stone for further anti motorist measures.
I was thinking more of an ongoing tax through registration based on vehicle size or weight etc.
Or restrictions in urban or CBD areas.

[MITCHAY]

If anyone was going to do a factory RHD truck it would be Toyota so this is interesting. As I have said many times before there a heaps of Rams and to a lesser extent Silverados around here.

I see many every day so there will be F-150 when they come and sure enough they will also buy Tundras.

I thought WTF but the only comparison is a Landcruiser so it makes sense in that context.

[Franco Cozzo]

Was involved in a part for one of the Tundra prototypes, Toyota was VERY insistent on the heat rating, then destructive testing on multiple samples with figures compared to the factory item.

The factory item didn't even meet their own specifications

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Was involved in a part for one of the Tundra prototypes, Toyota was VERY insistent on the heat rating, then destructive testing on multiple samples with figures compared to the factory item.

The factory item didn't even meet their own specifications

I bet that was a confrontational moment….

[prktkljokr]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Was involved in a part for one of the Tundra prototypes, Toyota was VERY insistent on the heat rating, then destructive testing on multiple samples with figures compared to the factory item.

The factory item didn't even meet their own specifications

Gee that's unusual for a manufacturer to fudge the figures