Wheel spinning: It never stops with Toyota. Simultaneously with its entry into NASCAR racing, the company revealed what it considers its most important product ever: an all-new Tundra pickup.
They say they’re in the battle for “Bubba” ” the all-American truck lover who has proved Detroit’s last loyal customer.
Executives describe the February launch of the pickup as the biggest strategic bet in the Japanese automaker’s history, more important even than the launch of its luxury Lexus and youth-oriented Scion brands.
Assembly will take place in a $1.2-billion plant, eight miles south of the Alamo in San Antonio ” the middle of the biggest truck market in the United States.
About one in seven pickups sold in the U.S. market are bought in Texas, and Toyota is looking to use its new plant and payroll of 2,000 workers to jump-start goodwill for the Tundra.
Toyota expects to make inroads with those now loyal to Detroit-made trucks by showing off the Tundra at events like bass fishing tournaments and country music venues.
“We call these guys Bubbas. A lot of these guys have ‘Ford’ tattooed on their arms. It’s going to take a while to win them over,” said Ronnie Bernal, sales manager at Red McCombs Toyota in San Antonio.
Based on the engineering foundations of the Volvo S80 sedan, the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego have been reinforced to deal with a tougher IIHS side impact test.
Both cars will be slightly redesigned for the 2008 model year with a new look. They will also share a more powerful engine.
Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. is preparing to enter the U.S. market and has signed an agreement with independent distributor Global Vehicles U.S.A. Inc.
In 2008, Mahindra will launch two vehicles in the United States, a pickup truck and a sports utility vehicle called the Scorpio.
Former international racing star Dan Gurney told us in a recent interview that if you can’t beat ’em, just join NASCAR.
He was speaking of open-wheel’s Indy Racing League and Champ Cars who lag far behind in attendance and television revenue.
Drivers are aiming in that direction, with Juan Pablo Montoya, from the Formula One circuit and of the IRL ranks, who has begun his apprenticeship in the Busch series. Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. plans to test Roger Penske’s Busch entry and Champ car sensation A.J. Almendinger also plans to make the move.
Who’s next? Michael Schumacher?
San Diego’s International Auto Show (Dec 27-31) will highlight several new displays as well as a number of popular features from previous shows.
More than 20 tons of sand and gravel will make up the 100,000-square-foot obstacle course for an exciting 4×4 ride and drive located in the parking lot behind the San Diego Convention Center,
You can get behind the wheel and drive the new Hyundai Sonata or Tucson. Look for the days and times.
