Toyota Delays 2012 Tundra Regular Cab – Is Regular Cab Going Away?
Jason Lancaster | Jul 18, 2011 | Comments 9
In a sign that Toyota may abandon the regular cab, Toyota has decided to delay production of the 2012 Tundra regular cab until December. In years past, sources at more than one automaker have commented to me that the regular cab really only makes sense as a fleet vehicle – consumers, as a general rule, are more interested in double cabs and crew cabs, which means that the regular cab is one of the least popular configurations.
I also have it on high authority that Ford considered canceling the regular cab F-150 prior to the 2004 F-150 redesign, but relented because fleet buyers prefer that configuration. I have also been told – again by numerous sources at multiple automakers – that the cost of building a regular cab pickup is only slightly lower than the cost of building a double cab…which brings us back to the 2012 Tundra. It could be that, when the next generation Tundra debuts, a regular cab model is not available.
NOTE: To be clear, none of our sources has told me the Tundra regular cab is scheduled to be cancelled. However, they are suspicious that this is indeed a possibility.
Nissan, for example, does not offer a regular cab Titan – only a King Cab (same as an extended cab or double cab) and a Crew Cab. Jeep’s most recent pickup truck concept, shown to Chrysler dealers last September, was an extended cab model. Scion’s rumored pickup – known as the A-BAT (and which is also rumored to be the basis of a Prius pickup truck at some point) – is also shown in an extended cab version. Finally, Ram’s unibody Dakota concept (rumored to debut in 2013) is also shown as an extended cab.
If you’re not sensing a pattern here, you should be. The market is moving towards small pickups that all feature an extended cab, and a major competitor was so confident in the market for crew cabs and double cabs that they didn’t even bother to build a regular cab.
Combined with the fact that Toyota has all but ceded the fleet market to Ford, GM, and Chrysler-Fiat, it’s entirely possible that the 2014 Tundra will not be available in a regular cab version.
What do you think – would you miss it?
Filed Under: Tundra News
I won’t miss it, I already own one. May be the value will hold up better.
There always seems to be an eclectic bunch of short bedders out there.
Honestly, I don’t see what sense it makes even to fleet buyers if you can still get a D-cab with the short and long bed. Plus, you have more room inside the cab for tools and other valuable items you don’t want out in the elements in the bed. Unless there is that big of a cost differential, I say cancel it. Of course, I would like to see more Toyota work trucks on the road, but I guess it keeps our trucks value higher not having the high fleet sales like the Detroit 3 have.
I like the regular cab for a few different reasons but I understand the reason it may be pulled from production. Those who have one will treasure it now. And all the ones I’ve seen in TX look VERY good.
The odd thing is here in S.A. I have seen work truck tundra’s and they were DC’s long beds and standard beds now they are not nearly the same amount as Ford or the old school GM trucks (pre 2007) but outside of them just as much as others.
GaryD – It is a special person that likes the regular cab (NOTE: I like them myself).
Brian – The cost differential is small, relatively speaking, but it’s still a few hundred dollars. For fleet buyers, every nickel counts…which is why they buy the cheapest truck possible.
TXTee – I like them too, but it could be Toyota will drop them.
AD – I’ve seen quite a few DC work trucks myself. Could be a way for Toyota to differentiate their base model and help explain some of the cost difference.
Has anyone got an input on Toyota’s Tundra production for late 2011 and beyond? I realize that Japan is still reeling under allot of stress due to past events, but are parts for their trucks still available stateside? Am just curious as to whether Toyota will trim production in San Antonio, and how it might affect [or is that “effect”] supply, and demand. I plan to buy at the end of this yr. Thanks in advance..
dug – Except for the regular cab, Toyota’s production is back to full tilt starting in September.
I’ve got one (07 GMC SLE); I just like the way they look better, and I can fit it in my garage. I just wonder if they stop making them, will they become popular and their value go up?
SRP46 – That’s a possibility, but I’m not sure you would see an increase in value for a few years. I’m a fan of regular cabs myself, but the fact is that I couldn’t really own one. I need a place for the kid and the dog so an extra cab makes way more sense.