Possible Toyota competition?

[Old Ranchero]

Toyota actually destroyed Ford in midsize truck sales in 2020, selling almost 3 times as many Tacomas as Ford's Ranger.

I love the look of the Maverick and can't wait to eventually get mine, but don't kid yourself about potential demand for a Toyota offering in this class.

that's because Ranger is based on 10 years old global platform converted for American market. Most people I suspect would rather wait for the next gen Ranger- unless they need a truck NOW and get a good deal.

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[Old Ranchero]

Imagine a compact pickup based on the rav4, Toyota quality,Tacoma like resale values.

and uncomfortable seating positions for majority of Americans like current Tacoma.

 

[theway-yay-ting]

likely would not be economical for Honda unless they used and existing smaller platform.

Honda could either downsize the Ridgeline, or base it off the CR-V, both successful, proven platforms.

 

[theway-yay-ting]

and uncomfortable seating positions for majority of Americans like current Tacoma.

The sales numbers would disagree with you, but okay.

 

[TheGriffin1313]

https://www.drivingline.com/article...could-be-toyotas-answer-to-the-ford-maverick/

Ever since we got our RAV4 Prime I have been wishing Toyota would make a small truck version with this exact drivetrain. It offers the best of both worlds with power and fuel economy. It would surely come in at a higher price point than the Maverick, but after driving the Prime for a year I have nothing but praise for it. Do it, Toyota!!!!!

If it's made anything like the Taco it is going to be dainty and easily have parts break off. Just like my 2019 Taco I could not wait to get rid of. Thank God for leases

 

[AUTUS_FL]

This reminds me of the German automaker Audi and their tagline: “To Lead And Never Follow”. Again, kudos to Ford Motor Company for proactively introducing the Maverick. Even a Toyota is following them now, it seems.

 

[psklenar]

Honda could either downsize the Ridgeline, or base it off the CR-V, both successful, proven platforms.

A Ridgeline of the current size would be acceptable to me if it were a hybrid capable of getting in the upper 30MPG range. 40MPG would be awesome, but it's a bigger and heavier vehicle, so ... <shrug>

pat----

 

[theway-yay-ting]

A Ridgeline of the current size would be acceptable to me if it were a hybrid capable of getting in the upper 30MPG range. 40MPG would be awesome, but it's a bigger and heavier vehicle, so ... <shrug>

pat----

I'm honestly surprised they don't (presently) offer anything except for the 280HP V-6 in it. I personally wouldn't want a vehicle that big (I think the smaller size has been one of the reasons the Maverick has been so popular).

The Ridgeline strikes me as kind of the first of the "truck but not really a truck" kind of crossovers - not as much payload capacity as a full-size truck, but targeted at buyers who knew they didn't need all that capacity and wanted a few more creature comforts.

Ford's genius was taking that one step further - smaller, more economical, waaaaayyyy less expensive, yet still a decent amount of power for the occasional truck task.

 

[Dun4791]

I'm honestly surprised they don't (presently) offer anything except for the 280HP V-6 in it. I personally wouldn't want a vehicle that big (I think the smaller size has been one of the reasons the Maverick has been so popular).

The Ridgeline strikes me as kind of the first of the "truck but not really a truck" kind of crossovers - not as much payload capacity as a full-size truck, but targeted at buyers who knew they didn't need all that capacity and wanted a few more creature comforts.

Ford's genius was taking that one step further - smaller, more economical, waaaaayyyy less expensive, yet still a decent amount of power for the occasional truck task.

Well Ford tried the waaaaaaaayyyy more expensive route with the sport trac first. Didn’t work.

 

[ITSATRUCK]

Imagine a compact pickup based on the rav4, Toyota quality,Tacoma like resale values.

You said the magic word. TACOMA! 1 reason toyota would not make a Rav platform Maverick competitor is it might eat into there high profit Tacoma sales.

I only see Toyota getting involved with Maverick competition if they see it eating into Tacoma sales. Honestly I could see that happen if Ford could multiply the volume several times. I think it could eat into all kinds of other vehicles sales.

 

[WesM]

Toyota cant make enough RAV4s to keep up with demand. The next generation Maverick will be out before Toyota gets in the game if they decide too.

My guess is Honda will put out a Maverick competitor before Toyota. I was thinking today how the Maverick is everything the Ridgline should have been. Honda should just scale down the ridgeline and get better fuel economy. Next gen Ridgline should compete in same class as Maverick.

I suspect the next gen Ridgline would be competing with the Santa Cruz more than the Maverick. Price alone is just not something Honda will be able to achieve vs the Maverick.

 

[WesM]

You said the magic word. TACOMA! 1 reason toyota would not make a Rav platform Maverick competitor is it might eat into there high profit Tacoma sales.

I only see Toyota getting involved with Maverick competition if they see it eating into Tacoma sales. Honestly I could see that happen if Ford could multiply the volume several times. I think it could eat into all kinds of other vehicles sales.

I agree, the only thing holding the Maverick back right now is Fords manufacturing capacity. Once Ford really gets churning, the maverick is going to be one of the hottest sellers in the USA and might see a significant global market too.

That is assuming competition does not start eating into the Maverick sales.

 

[theway-yay-ting]

I suspect the next gen Ridgline would be competing with the Santa Cruz more than the Maverick. Price alone is just not something Honda will be able to achieve vs the Maverick.

I agree that Honda's offering would be much more in the Santa Cruz price range.

 

[theway-yay-ting]

I agree, the only thing holding the Maverick back right now is Fords manufacturing capacity. Once Ford really gets churning, the maverick is going to be one of the hottest sellers in the USA and might see a significant global market too.

That is assuming competition does not start eating into the Maverick sales.

Are you having your Chapman order courtesy shipped or going to pick it up? I'm in NoVA and plan to drive up there (if I remember correctly they weren't offering the courtesy ship by the time I ordered)?

 

[stoptothink]

Toyota competing against Ford, thats a laugh. I wonder if they will make it uncomfortable, too small inside, put all the controls in weird places, and design a bunch of nonsense under the hood with this one too?

All of these things are true, but you can't make a statement without noting that pretty much everybody would have more confidence in the reliability of the Toyota powertrain. Toyota has gotten away with little innovation, odd design choices and poor interiors, below par performance, rusting frames, and higher prices for two decades because their vehicles just keep running.

I'd love a Toyota competitor, but I sincerely doubt they could do it for <$30k (while my Mav decently optioned XLT hybrid is $24k) and I am fundamentally opposed to spending more than that on something I consider an appliance. As far as I am concerned, Ford doesn't have a competitor until someone can match their pricepoint.

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