According to a report in Automotive News, Toyota dealers are down to a 54-day supply of the Tundra pickup. That's down from a 76-day supply just a month earlier. Toyota has reduced production by 75 percent so far this year.
Some dealers said they're surprised how much the market has picked up lately, but they're worried they won't have enough inventory as Toyota transitions to the refreshed 2010 Tundra.
Toyota chief Bob Carter has told dealers that the San Antonio plant won't return to two-shift production anytime soon.
"It's a tough decision," Early Stewart, a dealer from Florida told AN. "Carter knows it's a problem in certain markets. The F-Series is eating Toyota's lunch because they have more production."
brn says:
07:36 PM, 04/27/09
54 days is hardly "running short".
Basically, a 75% reduction in production is enough to bring their excess down to a manageable level.
mustang5507 says:
08:50 PM, 04/27/09
When it comes to trucks, I'm more of a GM guy, but "The F series is eating the Tundra's lunch" because it has more configurations offered, and is simply a proven vehicle. The Tundra is finally legitimate, and even this generation has had too many bugs for a half million people to give up their loyalty over.
uncanny_man says:
11:21 PM, 04/27/09
Why anyone would buy that bulbous styling mishap of a truck over any of its competition is beyond me.
zoomzoomn says:
04:28 AM, 04/28/09
Don't worry. This summer's gas prices (I'm sure they will spike up again this year) will quell demand enough to keep things flush! :)
cwajag says:
06:35 AM, 04/28/09
Sounds like a PR stunt by Toyota to make it sound like they are selling and lead the public to believe that despite the economy, we want their slow selling truck. I drive by 2 Toyota dealers on the way to work every day, I see tons of Tundras sitting on the lot, same ones every day. It's a press stunt, I am pretty sure.
sprtxkyle says:
07:05 AM, 04/28/09
It is not a publicity stunt! I currently work for a Toyota Dealership! We were in the top 25 in our region last year and had a supply of about 160 trucks! Today we have only 13 on the ground! Toyota did not produce too many '09 Tundras because they knew the '10 would be out sooner!
banhugh says:
07:26 AM, 04/28/09
BRN said it: "54 days is hardly "running short". "
firstwagon says:
08:31 AM, 04/28/09
If I remember correctly the industry is averaging 120 days right now so 54 days is pretty low.
brn says:
08:40 AM, 04/28/09
54 days does beat the heck out of 120, but 60 days (in times of good credit) is what they shoot for. In times of bad credit (now), they want even lower numbers. Also, I suspect that 120 days number is from several months ago. Again, a 75% reduction in output brought their inventory to manageable level. Good for them.
Regardless of what sprtxkyle says, they're not flying off dealer lots. I'm sure they're up some, but so are all trucks.
This article makes you aware of the current state of things with the Tundra, but it's misleading about the whole "running short" idea. This is a PR twist.