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Toyota unveils long bed versions of all-new 2007 Tundra full-size pickup
truck
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., unveiled long bed versions of the all-new
2007 Tundra full-size pickup truck at a press conference at the Toyota Technical
Center-Calty Design Studio. The unveiling took place as part of Toyota’s
participation in the annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) product
conference being held in Dearborn, Michigan. The NTEA is a trade association for
companies that develop, manufacture and market parts, accessories and systems
dedicated to the work truck market.
"The NTEA Product Conference is an ideal forum to debut the long bed Tundra
work truck," said Brian Smith, Toyota corporate manager for truck operations.
"Toyota recognizes the importance of commercial business customers to Tundra’s
long term success. Working with NTEA will allow their members time to develop a
wide variety of Tundra compatible work equipment and have those products to
market by the time the new Tundra launches in February."
The NTEA supports the manufacturers and installers of equipment like lift gates,
ladder racks and tool boxes, all products that bring additional utility to
pickups like the new Tundra. A primary function of the NTEA in general and this
week’s Product Conference in particular is to bring its members together with
OEM truck-makers like Toyota.
For the first time ever, aftermarket equipment manufacturers will have the
opport
unity to obtain technical data and examine the Tundra Long Bed work truck in
detail five months prior to the vehicle’s launch.
In private sessions closed to the public, and closed to other truck
manufacturers, NTEA members will be afforded an early first-look at new,
yet-to-be-launched pickup trucks. On Wednesday, September 20, Toyota will
participate in an NTEA measuring session, where it will show, for the first
time, two truck configurations developed specifically for work truck customers
who consider their full-size pickup truck the most important tool in their bag.
The new Tundra long bed will be available in Regular- and Double Cab versions.
With a 165-inch wheelbase, the Tundra Double Cab Long Bed will be the longest
pickup in the Toyota truck lineup. It will be suitable for carrying a crew of
six plus maximum cargo. The Tundra Regular Cab Long Bed will provide extra
storage capacity behind the driver’s seat and the largest interior volume in its
class.
Both long bed configurations will come with a choice of three engines,
including a 5.7 liter V8 that offers maximum towing of well over 10,000 pounds,
and a payload capacity to compete with the best in the half ton class.
With an eight-foot one-inch bed and a substantial bed depth, the Tundra Long Bed
will have the deepest box in its class below the rails. To maximize flexibility,
the bed will be equipped with the expected six standard size stake pockets, four
corner tie-down hooks, as well as an optional deck rail system.
Even the tailgate has commercial customers in mind, because it’s both lockable
and easily removable in the event that a utility cap is installed by a
tradesperson. Tundra’s extensive color palette will include three popular
nonmetallic work truck colors: White, Red and Black.
All Tundras will be equipped with oversized door handles and controls,
designed so that work crews can jump in and out of the truck to move around a
job site without taking off their work gloves. The cab is designed to function
as a mobile office with a center console capable of holding a laptop or hanging
file folders. On bench seat models the center seat section folds down to create
a flat surface for use as a mobile desk. The glove box is big enough to hold a
standard Thermos, and to aid safe hands-free communication, Bluetooth capability
is available.
The SR5 grade Tundra Long Beds will be a popular configuration for foremen,
supervisors or owner-operator tradespeople. The SR5 will offer a wide variety of
functional options, appearance accessories, and upgraded fabrics and trim.
Regular Cab models will also feature a standard grade featuring heavy-duty vinyl
flooring and basic equipment targeted specifically for work applications and
commercial use.
The new Tundra will be, by far, the most-American new product in Toyota’s
history.
•The entire engineering development program was led by TTC engineering, in Ann
Arbor, Michigan.
•Tundra styling was initiated at Calty Design Center in Newport Beach, Calif.
and finalized at the new Calty studio in Ann Arbor, Mich.
•Tundra’s engines will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama in
Huntsville, Ala.,
•Transmissions at a Toyota supplier production facility in North Carolina.
•Finally, the all-new Tundra will be manufactured at two U.S.-based full-size
truck production facilities, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana in Princeton,
Ind., and the new Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, located in San Antonio..
"The new Tundra is ready for work like no Toyota before it," said Smith. "When
the new Tundra rolls into dealer showrooms this February, we are confident that
full-size truck buyers will see Tundra as the most capable, best built, and best
value half-ton pickup in America."
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