Comments on: Toyota Trims Texas Truck Production

By: kjc117

kjc117 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:17:55 +0000

TMMTX will keep Tundra production production will stay within TMMI and TMMTX.
Toyota has a lot of flexibility with SIA, TMMI, and TMMK.

By: EJ_San_Fran

EJ_San_Fran — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:26:54 +0000

Isn’t there a plan to move Tacoma production from NUMMI to Texas and convert NUMMI to Prius?

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:16:21 +0000

Given that Toyota sells something like half their trucks in Texas, it would seem likely that Indiana would be the one to make less trucks. Transportation costs would seem to be a factor hard to overcome.

By: Stingray

Stingray — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:37:35 +0000

I think it’s better for them to bring Sequoia to TX than moving all the Tundra to IN. It’s a newer plant and I guess both share the same platform… if they use a lean/flexible/whatever line, they can assemble there.

In any case, both are truck plants, that will require HEAVY retooling to make cars if they want to do so.

Anyway, they have a ton of cash, so they can do whatever they want and/or suits their needs better.

By: Raskolnikov

Raskolnikov — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:17:27 +0000

As Homer would say…. “DOH!”

All the same, around here (Indiana) pickups are still king.

By: mel23

mel23 — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:49:05 +0000

Toyota doesn’t sell anything above 1/2 ton yet, but has plans from what I read. This should soak up some capacity. And the Big 2.x are bleeding to death, so who knows what that will bring. Sure Toyota would like to run at capacity, but they can wait; the others can’t. Also, there’s room at the San Antonio site for another line when needed. I doubt they’re worried long term.

By: Jerome10

Jerome10 — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:06:28 +0000

Was just discussing this with somebody the other day.

TMMI (Sienna, Tundra, Sequoia) is having sales issues with all three. Tundra and Seqoia are tankin, and Sienna is soft as its long in the tooth.

They just built and opened TMMTX for the Tundra and are now cutting back production.

SIA (Subaru) and TMMK and TMMC are doing fine. I believe NUMMI is as well.

However, they have 2 plants below capacity already (TMMI and TMMTX) and now they’re adding TMMC-Woodstock for the RAV4 and TMMMS for the Highlander?! Holy over-capacity Batman!

I don’t see much of a way around it. You could shut down NUMMI, which I hear could happen. But is that going to be enough volume and worth the expense to cover TMMC-Woodstock, TMMI, TMMTX, and TMMMS? Its odd how much this Toyota thing is starting to sound awfully similar to Ford and GM’s situation….

By: Sajeev Mehta

Sajeev Mehta — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:19:13 +0000

I think NUMMI might find a newer, cheaper, non-union home in San Antonio.

By: Banned User

Banned User — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:02:40 +0000

If they unionize the Ontario plant maybe they can move their production to Indiana or less likely Texas.

By: Nemphre

Nemphre — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:32:32 +0000

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a regular cab Tundra like the one in the pic. It looks cute. If it wasn’t so massive it could be a cool compact truck.

By: starlightmica (Richard Chen)

starlightmica (Richard Chen) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:10:16 +0000

I think that Indiana has separate lines for Tundra/Sequoia and the Camry-based Sienna, and is located closer to Toyota’s manufacturing base in KY, WV, IL (Subaru plant).

Given the economic shitstorm that’s coming in the near future, I don’t think any company’s going to be increasing production anytime soon. Bear Stearns at $2/share?!

By: Frank Williams

Frank Williams — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:01:17 +0000

They already build Sequoia and Tundra in Indiana. It would be easier to increase Tundra production there than to relocate Sequoia to Texas.

By: starlightmica (Richard Chen)

starlightmica (Richard Chen) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:58:04 +0000

Or the other way around – Tundra/Sequoia in Texas only, cars and Sienna in Indiana. Or the planned Mississippi Highlander plant, which Toyota execs now admit is overcapacity which doesn’t look so good with the rising yen.

Looks like lots of auto companies are getting the shaft from currency fluctuations, with few exceptions.