Automotive Press - 7 reasons why the 2024 4Runner is Delayed Agian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWn_FYHU2CY

 

1. Toy making design changes
2. Setting up factory in Mexico taking a lot of time. He suspects new 4Runner built in Japan and Mex.
3. Supply chain problems and chip shortages
4. Intro of new Tacoma. Don't want to steal thunder from more profitable Tacoma.
5. Current 4Runner still sells very well.
6. Powertrain changes. His guess for next gen 2.4L turbocharged as base, and hybrid version.
7. New Tundra release was delayed 6-7 months, so it pushed all other new models back.

 

5. Current 4Runner still sells very well.

What's the saying? If it's not broke, don't fix it?

 

I've been in manufacturing for years and I don't buy his take on manufacturing in Mexico. The 4Runner is not a huge seller compared to some of their other models. Why would Toyota spend an insane amount of effort & money to maybe make a few thousand more than they currently make. For example they sell 100's of thousands of Rav 4's and Camry. How many 4Runners are sold per year? Maybe 100,000-120,000. You don't need to setup an entire factory for a 4Runner unless the demand is going to skyrocket. I don't see it.

 

The new 4Runner will share a platform with the Tacoma and Tundra, both of which will be made in Mexico.

Edit:. Could have something to do with taxes as well.

 

I'm not well-read on such things but I believe they'd benefit from NAFTA and eliminate the import tax imposed on the Japanese vehicles. It's only a few percentage points but 1)margin per vehicle goes up, and 2)at current 4Runner volumes that adds up to a lot of money.

It would also eliminate the added two week delay imposed by shipping across the sea and potentially some/all of the 'port option' aspects of the current process.

If you were able to cut the time from production to delivery by 3 weeks and increase profit by 300 basis points at the same time it could have a meaningful impact to inventory, DSO, cash flow, and profit.

 

That's the saying, but reality is more like, if it's not broken, keep fixing it until it is.

 

Exactly. There should be a "legacy" 5th gen forever for those who want it.
Just like how Australia sells a really old-school Land Cruiser. https://www.toyota.com.au/landcruiser-70/prices?material_code=7C71450B0FG10058

 

I think last year was their highest year-to-date at 144,000. I was one of them

 

This was announced in April 2022 - As part of its shift to vehicle electrification, Toyota will invest $383m in four of its US powertrain manufacturing plants. Plus Toyota has repeatedly stated that that they are "commitment to assembling vehicles where they are sold". It makes sense that if the hybrid power plants are going to be made in the US that the new 4Runner very well could be assembled in Mexico.

Toyota sold 144,696 4Runner in the US, plus Toyota sells the 4Runner in the Bahamas, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. All markets that could be more economically serviced from an assembly plant in Mexico.

 

I am glad I have my Japanese made 4Runner. Gosh I hope they don’t mess up the 6th Gen. Look at Ford and the Bronco what a mess.

 

doesn't Ram still make and sell their previous generation 1500 alongside the new one?

 

Yep. The Ram 1500 Classics are the 4th gen models.

 

David's only a year late on this information.

I posted this a year ago thanks to some really good information from Carmaker1 over on the other forum.

Interesting how many similarities there are.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/6th-gen-speculation-thread.20634/

 

Doesn't matter if it's going to be made in Mexico Bangladesh or Hong Kong price is still going waayy up for the end users any savings are going to Toyota

 

David from automotive press shows how the quality falls off once manufacturing moves away from Japan. Toyota starting to hide it pretty well though with the introduction of massive gaps in the body panels. Perfect example look at the New Gen Highlander at the massive gap between the hood and the headlight.

 

That front corner of the hood is one of the most difficult parts to align and they simply deleted the issue by creating a floating Hood which I think looks ridiculous and it's clear as day what they're trying to do. I hope they don't start doing the stuff with the new 4Runner

 

I've had two people at gas stations tell me the hood on my Highlander wasn't closed because of that Gap. One was lexus driver and the other was driving a CTS Cadillac. I think the 460 guy really thought it was open but I think the Cadillac guy was just f****** with me because of the massive Gap

 

From what I can see in photos that hood / headlight gap does seem to be excessive. But I don’t see any other noticeable gaps on the vehicle. You sure that isn’t just a strange styling decision?

 

Any idea what one of these cost? And what exactly would one have to do to bring one of these over to the US?

 

I think that doubt (is it on purpose?) is precisely what makes @Yoytota ‘s comment exactly true lol. You can’t blame toyota for bad gaps if it look like a “stylistic design decision”

I’ve always hated that floating hood design. I didnt even know there was a name for it. But now I understand the motivation behind this “bold modern styling”.

 

Honda Ridgeline on test drive. Awful gap

 

I presume these prices are in Australian dollars but he never say that precisely that I found in my very brief look.

https://www.carexpert.com.au/toyota/landcruiser-70-series

 

While I would NEVER buy this product, I applaude them for offering it.

 

It's under there, just fix it, you lazy person!

 

Just pick a hose and disconnect; it all looks intuitive enough This should keep the dealers profitable for a while

Maybe that is why they are already replacing entire engines with this recall. Heck that is a lot easier than trying to take one item out of that engine bay.

 

And I thought the engine bay on my old 3000GT VR-4 was a nightmare.

 

That engine compartment layout alone would cause me to walk away.

 

How can something not announced be delayed?

Meh. Most people don't work on their own cars anyway. They go in for free oil changes.