Toyota Has One-Truck Mind Regarding Diesel

Date posted: 09-13-2007 | Link to Original Article @ Edmunds

NEW YORK — Fugheddabout diesel engines for anything other than the Tundra pickup, says Toyota Motor Executive Vice President Kazuo Okamoto, who's in charge of, among other things, Toyota's Vehicle Engineering Group.

This, despite assertive plans by rivals Honda and Nissan to deploy diesel-powered variants of their mainstream Maxima (2009) and Accord (2010) sedans.

If it is to launch diesel engines for the U.S., the only product that appears to make a business case is the Tundra, said Toyota executives. Toyota had long been known to be interested in launching a diesel-powered Tundra to compete with highly profitable, heavy-duty versions of Detroit Three pickups, but some sources now suggest Toyota may be reassessing those plans. Nonetheless, Toyota says development of a diesel-powered Tundra is "completed."

Toyota says given the strict emissions regulations in the U.S., the company doesn't like the prospects for diesel-powered mainstream vehicles because the emissions systems that will be required to make diesels emissions-compliant in all 50 states will add plenty of cost to those vehicles. A cost, Toyota thinks, customers may not be willing to bear.

Also a factor, no doubt: the enormous investment Toyota has in hybrid-electric vehicle technology.

"We are really focused on the hybrid," for the U.S. passenger-car market, said Okamoto at a presentation here for journalists and the financial community. He added, however, that Toyota will watch the situation carefully in the event that customer tastes "shift."

Or, perhaps, if Honda and Nissan start selling a bunch of diesel Accords and Maximas?

What this means to you: If you want a diesel-powered car in the next couple of years, you don't have to bother looking at the Toyota store.

because when all the jpanese car makers holed up in the bunker with the top japanese govt officials and japanese bankers, they decided toyo would be hybrid and honda would get diesels.

Who builds Toyota's diesels for Europe then?

ok, 'for the usa'. add that on to my last post.

"We are really focused on the hybrid," for the U.S. passenger-car market, said Okamoto at a presentation here for journalists and the financial community. He added, however, that Toyota will watch the situation carefully in the event that customer tastes "shift."

That's just a retarded statement right there. What it means in a nutshell is that hybrids are what's selling right now, so that's the only thing Toyota is interested in. If other makes pave the way for an alternative, Toyota will wait until those makes have taken the initial risk before jumping into the fray themselves.

Toyota: Following the Leader since 1937

honda has shown a lot more innovation over time than toyota.

I hope GM gets the point. This could easily be another area that GM can show how they've "gone green", uping toyota not only by the Volt but also diesel variants of different models (including the Volt).

The real answer is Diesel has never been Toy's strong point. The only reason they are having a bigger displacement diesel is because their now partner ISUZU has large diesel engine technology, which they can bring in ASAP.

While I have no clue about Toyota's diesel engines, I disagree with Toyota's stance. I could definitely see a diesel thrown into the next-gen Corolla as well as the Tundra, Tacoma and possibly the RAV4. Perhaps the Camry, too, though I'd question that. Lexus could use diesels in the IS and GS.

Edit: spelling.

Edited September 14, 200718 yr by sciguy_0504

While I have no clue about Toyota's diesel engines, I disagree with Toyota's stance. I could definitely see a diesel thrown into the next-gen Corolla as well as the Tundra, Tacoma and possibly the RAV4. Perhaps the Camry, too, though I'd question that. Lexus could use diesels in the IS and GS.

Edit: spelling.

Lexus sells a diesel powered IS in the UK called the IS220d. I dont think it will sell very well here.

I think Toyota is putting all their eggs in the hybrid basket. I bet the "beauty" of the hybrid will wear off once people have to begin replacing the batteries and electrical systems in them.