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Toyota earmarks $391 million for next era of Texas pickup production
September 17, 2019 02:42 PM
LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
https://www.autonews.com/automakers-...kup-production
Toyota is pushing ahead with its plan to boost efficiencies in the production of its midsize Tacoma and full-size Tundra pickups, which are moving onto a common platform, with a $391 million investment in its pickup plant near San Antonio.
The Japanese automaker said Tuesday it will "introduce advanced manufacturing technologies" to its production line before moving the two pickups onto a new platform, internally called F1, over the next four years.
Automotive News first reported in April that Toyota's next-generation Tundra and Tacoma would share the platform, which the automaker plans to spread to all of its pickups globally.
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So, I wonder if this "Platform" is actually a share of one type of architecture or,
is it more likely a project cost centre that has a collection of different "platforms"
all rolled in under a one stop shop. I remember Toyota having everything from
Corolla to Camry, RAV4 and Kluger on what it called the same platform
Things like frames are purpose designed and can't be scaled
so I wonder how much is actually shared or is this more about
a common construction process to enable different vehicles to
be build in the same body shop, frame works and assembly line...
Following on from that, does this mean that a future Tundra could
be factory RHD for export to countries in our region?
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Current-generation Tundras and Tacomas are built in sequence on a shared assembly line in San Antonio, while the Tacoma is also assembled at a pair of plants in Mexico. Although the two pickups share the assembly line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas, they are built on different platforms, increasing complexity far beyond that of the 37 cab and powertrain variations of the two pickups.
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Development of the shared-platform pickups is near completion and is expected to be introduced beginning in 2021 with the 2022 Tundra. The Tacoma is expected to move onto the F1 platform in 2023 for the 2024 model year. Details of what the shared platform will mean, in terms of design or potential features, remain unknown, although top Toyota executives have pledged to introduce fuel-saving hybrid technology into all Toyota models, including pickups.
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