Toyota Pickup Scores Below-Perfect on Safety

Toyota Pickup Scores Below-Perfect on Safety New York Times 03/20/07 by Nick Bunkley c. 2006 New York Times Company

DETROIT, March 19 -- Detroit's automakers are getting some help from the federal government, at least in terms of their efforts to find flaws in the new pickup built by their Japanese rival Toyota Motor.

The Toyota Tundra failed to achieve a five-star rating in head-on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration -- tests that have given perfect scores to all full- size pickups made by Detroit.

Given Toyota's reputation for building safe cars, the Tundra's four- star rating is viewed by many as an embarrassment for the automaker, which has acknowledged the Tundra to be the most important vehicle it has ever sold in the United States.

"It's surprising, because people just kind of assume they'll get the five," said Dan Edmunds, director of automotive testing at Edmunds.com, a Web site that gives car-buying advice to consumers. "I'm sure they're not happy with that rating."

Five stars indicate that the chances of suffering serious injuries are less than 10 percent, while four stars mean the chances are 11 percent to 20 percent. The ratings do not show how close the Tundra came to earning five stars -- all consumers will see is that the Tundra rates one star less than its competitors, Mr. Edmunds said.

The government has proposed changes to its crash-test rating system because it says too many vehicles receive five stars.

"The Big Three are certain to try to capitalize on this from a marketing and promotional standpoint, because the Tundra is a pretty strong truck," Mr. Edmunds said. "They're going to be looking for a weakness to exploit."

A Toyota spokesman, Bill Kwong, said the automaker "would have loved to see five" but noted that its own testing found that the Tundra meets or exceeds all crash-protection standards.

"If somebody's tests show that our vehicle is not quite there, we need to go back to the drawing board and find out why," Mr. Kwong said. "I'll bet our engineering team is crawling all over this thing as we speak and trying to find out what went on."

Detroit's automakers began trying to pick apart the Tundra long before it went on sale in February. Recently a General Motors sales manager sent an e-mail message to dealers disputing claims Toyota makes in its ads for the truck.

A Ford Motor Company spokesman, Jim Cain, suggested that the Tundra's rating could be incorporated into Ford's advertising campaign, which compares the abilities of vehicles like its own F-series pickup with those of competing products.

"Why wouldn't we?" Mr. Cain said. "They can't beat us on capability and now they can't match us on safety."

Reply to
Ed White
Loading thread data ...

I think it would be stupid for Ford or GM or Dodge to make a big issue of this. I am sure that by next year the Tundra will have 5 stars. I am shocked that it didn't form the beginning. Stooping to Toyota's level would be stupid. Every time you compare "your" truck to "their" truck, you are putting their truck on a plateau and telling peopel you are just trying to be as good. Far better to just tell people what your truck can do and make sure it is the best.

Ed

Reply to
Ed White

Reply to
bigjim

I think GM should use it.

Then we could see the replays of the 'saddle tank' fires....

formatting link

Reply to
Scott in Florida

Reply to
Tom

Detroit's trucks last a pretty long time, especially compared to many of their cars.

Let's see: The Tundra is made in the US. They're a US maker.

I don't think the Michigan 3 are scared right now. But they do need to make sure they make what people want, or they will lose a lot of truck business.

And what vehicle would they make next? With the exception of big trucks, to take on the Fx50, there is little niche for them.

jeff

Reply to
Jeff

You need to learn to stop top-posting.

You're going to get like Mike. ;-)

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

This is akin to picking on a straight A student getting one B one a test. Ford is surely getting desperate.

Reply to
.

Reply to
bigjim

formatting link

Reply to
Ray O

One does not even need a four star rating to "meet or exceeds all crash-protection standards." ;)

mike

Reply to
Mike Hunter

Nice to be a loyalist and you are entitled to your opinion but what make you think Toyota trucks outlast domestics? They certainly have not shown any ability to do so today. The Camry is the best selling mid size car because more Americans believe it is a better car on which to spend their money, but Americans in 2006 bought 35% of the trucks sold from Ford, 32% from GM and only a measly 5% from Toyota. Apparently truck buyers do not agree with your opinion.

Toyota wisely only puts V8 in their RWD cars. As for a sporty car they already have the Solara, but it is only a six that drives the Wrong end do the vehicle to be a performance car. It costs at least 25% more than the V8 Mustang to drive home.

Mike

Reply to
Mike Hunter

Reply to
bigjim

BUT, the facts are that trucks with the side saddle tanks didn't have a higher fire rate than trucks that did not.

I am old enough to remember when pick-up truck fuel tanks were inside the cab, right behind the seat and the filler neck was right behind the driver door. Compared to this, the side saddle tanks were rally safe.

Maybe we could see the phony NBC video where they used rocket motors to ignite a fire during a crash test so that they could "prove" the tanks were dangerous.

Ed

Reply to
C. E. White

Any proof that Toyota trucks last much longer and are more reliable? I've never seen Toyota make this claim. I have seen both Chevrolet and Dodge make this sort of claim. I'd sure like to see some figures that actually prove any particular truck brand is longer lasting and more reliable. Of course the figures will have to break it down by usage. I am sure a Toyota truck being used as a commuter vehicle will last much longer than a Ford truck being used in a rock quarry.

Ed

Reply to
C. E. White

Isn't that what the Celica was?

Ford and GM sell many trucks in South America.

Ed

Reply to
C. E. White

Ford didn't right the article. I am hoping they won't incorporate it into their advertising.

Ed

Reply to
C. E. White

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.