Could the Taco's Be gone for good?

[fordh8r]

I heard on the news this morning there is talk of the NUMMI plant in Fremont here in CA headed for some big lay offs in order to stay competitive with the big 3. In that statement they also said, since that is where the Tacoma is built that they're considering discontinuing production of the Tacoma.  They didn't say much more than that... Anyone else hear of this? Or know anything different? Huh, and I thought they were doing so well.. What are your thoughts?

[46&2]

I havent heard anything like that but Im not really in "the loop" so I dont know. I do know that in the last few years every truck company has been moving away from the mini trucks and back into fullsizing everything so all in all it probably wouldnt surprise me if they killed the mini trucks. I pray they dont do it but the American auto market is really a wacky one.

[jimbo74]

there was an article in the paper about it, didnt say the taco would be discontinued, just said their might be some layoffs, and that only 40% of the tacos are made @ nummi, so not all of them would disappear they would just be harder to get

[jimbo74]

I havent heard anything like that but Im not really in "the loop" so I dont know. I do know that in the last few years every truck company has been moving away from the mini trucks and back into fullsizing everything so all in all it probably wouldnt surprise me if they killed the mini trucks. I pray they dont do it but the American auto market is really a wacky one.

dodge has the dakota (midsized though) and ford has the ranger while chevy has the s10

i doubt the little truck market will cease to exist... hell, i see mreo of those little 2wd trucks being used as work vehicles now adays by landscapers, tradesmen than any of the big trucks (well until you start getting into the owners truck, thats a luxurious fullsize 4x4) but the actual working guys use the little trucks, and htey are workhorses too

[46&2]

Yeah, I just meant that "minis" arent so mini anymore. Look at the latest generation of tacoma. Those things are pretty big compared to previous toyota trucks. I dont think they would be smart to axe minis all together, i just dont like how large everything is getting

[red]

chevy ditched the s10 a few years ago, now its the colorado/canyon. not quite sure where yall are getting that most construction workers are using mini trucks, when i was working construction most of the workers i was working withi  were using full size trucks. :shrug:

i wish they would have kept the mini trucks mini. the tacoma now is about the size of the old T100, dakota and nissan frontier are the same. chevy/gmc colorado/canyon and the ford ranger are still mini though. the full sizes are getting even bigger as well.

[BLACKDOG]

Yeah, all the mini trucks are getting bigger.  I think we're seeing the end of an era there.  I'm not too worried about tacos dissapearing though.  I don't think they'll even be that hard to get.  One thing that layoffs mean  is also that they're  introducing machines and more computerized equipment. Less salaries to pay, less benefits to offer, and not as much issues with unions. 

Big construction comanies use full size trucks, but out here, a lot of the small independent guys use the mini trucks. A combination of hauling ability and decent gas mileage is important for those guys htat can travel 300 miles round trip to get to their different jobsites.  We've got a guy working for our company that lives in orovile and regularly commutes to the bay area for jobs.  Thats a long haul for work.  He drives a new tacoma, used to have an s10

[Rockcrawlintoy]

Yeah, I just meant that "minis" arent so mini anymore. Look at the latest generation of tacoma. Those things are pretty big compared to previous toyota trucks. I dont think they would be smart to axe minis all together, i just dont like how large everything is getting

it is because our population is getting bigger

Drew

[kneedownnate]

What I see happening is minis getting so big they'll start making little trucks again to fill the void.  I often see tacomas from a distance and assume they're tundras. 

[yota_krawler]

What I see happening is minis getting so big they'll start making little trucks again to fill the void.  I often see tacomas from a distance and assume they're tundras. 

Same here. I like them but they are big. If I wanted a Tundra I would by a Tundra, and if I wanted a full size I would get a diesel. but whatever. I guess the car manufactures know more or something 

[fordh8r]

I guess the car manufactures know more or something 

I think it's called $$$$$$......   

[MiniSimp]

Just saw 2 more truckloads of Tacoma frames on the way to work, so not slowing down yet.

[tulsa_97sr5]

The Tacoma sells really well, better than anything else in it's class.  Can't imagine they would even think about axing it.  I would love to see a third, smaller model pu from toyota.  Oh, and the 70 series LC from australia as long as I'm asking for stuff.

[fordh8r]

The Tacoma sells really well, better than anything else in it's class.  Can't imagine they would even think about axing it.  I would love to see a third, smaller model pu from toyota.  Oh, and the 70 series LC from australia as long as I'm asking for stuff.

  You'll just have to wait there young man...

[kneedownnate]

I would love to see a third, smaller model pu from toyota.  Oh, and the 70 series LC from australia as long as I'm asking for stuff.

As much as many of us would like to see the lc70 here it'd never happen.  As prissy as the general american consumers are they'd go over like a fart in church.  Strong, rugged and simple just don't cut it in america.  Plush, cushy and pimp are what sells here.

[tulsa_97sr5]

As much as many of us would like to see the lc70 here it'd never happen.  As prissy as the general american consumers are they'd go over like a fart in church.  Strong, rugged and simple just don't cut it in america.  Plush, cushy and pimp are what sells here.

Yep, can't see it happening.  I'm sure getting it to meet crash and emisions regs would cost a small fortune.  Plus they are pretty damn expensive.  Still want them though 

[Cheesemaker]

As much as many of us would like to see the lc70 here it'd never happen.  As prissy as the general american consumers are they'd go over like a fart in church.  Strong, rugged and simple just don't cut it in america.  Plush, cushy and pimp are what sells here.

This explains why the straight axle has been replaced for IFS!  And why it will never be brought back!  Sucks!

[NT-OUTBACK]

The new Taco is ugly and way to big, it's really the end of an era for Toyota trucks.

Soon it will be full-size or nothing

[DTB]

i dont think the new taco is fugly its just enormous...

[DTB]

 


this thread makes me sad

[86bobbedtoy]

change is good who knows what will be next! + Im not a big fan of the new tacomas. 

[46&2]

I think the bodies of the new tacos arent bad, too big, but the shape isnt bad. then you get to the front end, and i swear it looks like a guppy. The front clip is horrible IMO. I hated it when they first did it to the 4runners too. With a lot of mods they look cool but stock I just cant stand em.

[Cheesemaker]

I love all the toyota body styles, up to the Tacoma!  First, second and third gen are the best!

[kneedownnate]

Sadly this is what happens in a market ruled by the consumer.  That's why we got ifs on the hilux in 86 while other countries still had solid axles until 95 or so.  One of the few solid axle holdouts, dodge, is even going away from it and I wonder how long it'll take jeep to dump it too

[46&2]

Around the world you could get solid axles from the factory until 1998. 

I think Jeep is still the only one to realize the value of the straight axle in a factory vehicle. I know their new wranglers are selling really well. So it may be a while before they get rid of it, but when Jeep does I think reality will set in that we will never seen a solid axle again on a factory vehicle.

[86bobbedtoy]

bye bye solid axles.. well miss you..