Toyota Tundra. A Flop?

[mongoose1983]

Hey you all!
When it was released the Toyota Tundra seemed that it was going to become a legend in its own time. Now, after about a year from its bombastic release it seems to be a commercial flop. If you have a look at the riders section on TC it looks like a Ghost town. Seemingly, hardcore Tamiya fans did not liked it much. What could have happened for the lack of success of such a nice big truck?
You all have a great 2010 !!!

[backtomyroots]

Hey you all!

When it was released the Toyota Tundra seemed that it was going to become a legend in its own time. Now, after about a year from its bombastic release it seems to be a commercial flop. If you have a look at the riders section on TC it looks like a Ghost town. Seemingly, hardcore Tamiya fans did not liked it much. What could have happened for the lack of success of such a nice big truck?

You all have a great 2010 !!!

EB

--

Flop ? No. High sales ? Perhaps not. But there are a lot of other forums where members have them but don't forget you can get it in three versions (F350, Hilux & Tundra). I know I will purchase one but not for a while.

[kontemax]

The reason is simply. The Tundra is the ugliest thing ever designed, both 1:1 and 1:10.

Max

[Cinnamon]

The reason is simply. The Tundra is the ugliest thing ever designed, both 1:1 and 1:10.

Max

LOL Maybe not the ugliest , but it aint no beauty.

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

Its an ugly looking thing, and proportionally it doesnt work well as a 1/10 scale truck. It looks like a nikko toy thanks to those bulky shapes, daft looking light bar and stubby truck bed.

Lets all forget the gigantic rear view mirrors too

[Power Surge]

The reason is simply. The Tundra is the ugliest thing ever designed, both 1:1 and 1:10.

Max

Agreed. Not the most exciting vehicle asthetically, at least for me. Now the Tamiya F350 is a thing of beauty, but I am also a Ford guy. Love Blackfoot bodies, hate Clodbuster bodies. Just my preference.

But yeah, I'd bet it's a REAL small group of people that get wood over a Toyota Tundra.

[mongoose1983]

The reason is simply. The Tundra is the ugliest thing ever designed, both 1:1 and 1:10.
Max

Well, I thought the same. You must be right, Max.
Happy 2010 You all !!!

[stu22]

I'd say the the main reasons would be the thing is expensive and the economy sucks.

Thinking about it, if you're right about it not selling it might be the kit to buy and keep around. One of the reasons the original 3-speeds are selling for what they are now is the things were expensive enough where not many were buying them compared to the old Frog/Brat or Grasshopper/Hornet from that generation.

Anyone know how well the Buggy Champ is selling? Mine's still in the shrink wrap because I haven't had the time to build it and don't know when I will. I'm not sure I would ever run it at the track knowing it would get its back side kicked by everything else on the track including most of the vintage cars. I got it because I always wanted a Rough Rider and had the money to do it now. Who knows, maybe the Tundra will be like that in another 20 years.

[taliesin]

I'd say the the main reasons would be the thing is expensive and the economy sucks.

Stu, I think you nailed it on the head.

That's exactly why I didn't get into RC until I was in my mid 30s. Back in the late 80s the price of a top-shelf RC setup was more than the car I drove to work every day. The economy was in the tank and my wages were pathetic. An expensive toy just wasn't in the realm of possibility for me. No way, no how.

With the global economy the way it stands now, and the way its looking for the next 10-15 years if the Japanese financial crisis was anything to gauge by, people might think twice before dropping that kind of cash on - let's be brutally honest here - a toy.

I think it has very little to do with the kit itself, and everything to do with the economic reality we've all been saddled with.

That ... and nobody can stop drooling over the re-release of the Buggy Champ & Sand Scorcher.

[mongoose1983]

...I think it has very little to do with the kit itself...

I can be wrong, but I believe the F-350 and the Hilux are still outselling (by far) the Toyota Tundra. At least that's what you can see on eBay nowadays.

[TA-Mark]

I was very surprised when I seen the Tundra as the third 3-speed 4x4. It's not a well known vehicle worldwide and would appeal to very few, not to mention it's not the prettiest flower of the bunch.

I would have expected something more like a Chevrolet or the Toyota Landcruiser tray back (cab/chassis) as the third release. The Landcruiser with a hard body would be a must have on my list as was the F-350 I did buy. Even if the Tundra was much cheaper than the other two 3-speeds I would overlook it in favour of a CC01 Landcruiser or Wrangler.

[kontemax]

I really don't understand the reason of the Tundra. There were 2two 3 speeds with very good bodies before it...

A 3th one with an ugly body was not necessary in my opinion.

Max

[Tamiya1/10]

Of the 3 new 3 spds, I would leave the hilux out totally as the body just does not go with the chassis and those tiny little wheel/tires that come with it just does not give it a balance look.

I like the F350 but is supose to be a full size PU and it turns our to be a sub-compact PU once put beside the old 3spds. In another words is not BIG ENOUGH.

If I have to buy one, I would go for the Tundra. I think it looks pretty good, mind you taste is within your own, love it or hate it or some where in between. I think scale wise is on the money and I am more interested in the details and balance look.

In the end, Tundra is a flop? Only Tamiya knows or in the States or Europe is a Flop but in Japan could be a hit. Japanese likes Japanese brand and taste, American stays with the made in the USA design and Europeans stay with the European design....in general.

[berman]

I think it's quite simple.

The Tundra doesn't have the cult following of the Ford F series, the Toyota Hilux, and the C10 Chevrolet, all three which have been around for many decades and have a devoted fan base. The fact that the Tundra is a US domestic market only pickup doesn't help either. The Chundra is still a new vehicle and hasn't reach anywhere near an iconic status. And yes, it's a little ugly, compared to the other two (apart from the hilux's space-saver wheels).

[mobias]

Of the 3 new 3 spds, I would leave the hilux out totally as the body just does not go with the chassis and those tiny little wheel/tires that come with it just no a balance look.

I like the F350 but is supose to be a full size PU and it turn our to be a sub-compact PU once put beside the old 3spds. In another words is not BIG ENOUGH.

If I have to buy one, I would go for the Tundra. I think it looks pretty good

I actually totally agree with you, particularly about the Hilux, I just think it looks daft on those tiny wheels too. Judging by the showrooms here I wouldn't really say the Tundra has been a mega flop, there's a fair few of them there. Look how few Unimogs there are as a comparison.

One thing I do love about the Tundra is how people seriously pimp them out. This on is lovely http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.a...309&id=7530

[Corpse Thrower]

The Tundra looks like a Toyota Kluger.

I hate Klugers, they make me very angry

It won't stop me buying one eventually, however. I have to....its a Tamiya.

[Henk4Focus]

Here in SA they are still stuck with the first ever shipment of Tundras at the importers. Change that behemoth's shell to and old FJ40 or the newer FJ75/79 series pick-ups and that thing would sell in 1000's here. Or better yet, a series 80 or 100 Land Cruiser wagon shell. I would get rich selling them. The Hilux sells more than the others as we had that model here, but my personal taste goes to the F350. I don't care that it's not as big as the Bruiser, I like it even though it really annoys me that it doesn't shift properly. The SA public in general wants Land Cruiser toys and for anyone in the know, will know that you rarely find a toy car Land Cruiser. We will have to wait and see how the CC01 Cruiser will do.

Cheers

Henk

[terry.sc]

There's also that it was the third release, one year after the Hilux and two years after the F350.

If people wanted a 3 speed whatever the body they bought the F350 when it came out, those who wanted something nearer the originals who weren't convinced by the F350 bought the Hilux. So there was two years of sales of the others before the Tundra was released and even those who would have bought the Tundra are likely to find it hard to justify buying a second 3 speed.

[WillyChang]

looks ok but haven't bought a Tundra as personally it wasn't as exciting as F350 & Hilux

since we're playing the "IF ONLY" game... instead of Tundra what if they made THIS:--->>

I'D BUY IT

heck ditch any fancy scale surfboards and just put WildWilly at the wheel... with tinted visor...

[Henk4Focus]

Yip that will do better. That is the "Vigo" or as we know it in SA "Hilux". Similar trucks as in the pic was build for a Anartic expedition. They made a big whoaaa about it here in SA as 4x4Megaworld had something to do with construction of the vehicles. Most people got very exited about it but if you go onto www.4x4offroads.com you will see that those are just some more 37 to 45 inch running arctic trucks. Browse the site and you'll find a Defender that was made wider by some 30cm or 12inches. Running on 44" tyres, that is a beast.

Sorry of topic but Thrandur's site might be inspiration for my fellow TC members. Check it out, some great stuff on there.

Cheers

Henk

PS. here's the link for that bigger than normal Defender.

http://www.4x4offroads.com/4x4-land-rover-iceland.html

[lee172]

I guess i'm in the minority then! (not that i mind!) i think the Tundra is by far the best looking, though mine is a little different to standard..

also it doesnt help that the ecomony has taken a dive since (or before?) it was released..

I like the F350, but in my opinion Tamiya 'cheaped out' by using almost the same front bumper on the Hilux as the one used on the F350.

[mymonsterbeetleisbroken]

Tamiya's effort on the body still reminds me of these:

The tundra just doesn't lend itself to being a 1/10 plastic kit, just my opinion and thats why I don't want one.

[scoobybooster]

Personally my "vote" goes for the Tundra,too-although i cannot really explain why... i have all 3 of them new built in my collection and when i compare the Tundra with the Ford and the Hilux,i can say that:

The Tundra has a very ballanced look as the chassis/wheelbase is a little longer and that gives it the best looking proportions IMO. I like the F350,too but never was a friend of the roll-cage and the frontbumper as they are a little too massive(not to speak of these boring standart rims).

The Hilux has a beautifull body but looks totally wrong on the chassis for the reasons we all know...

That's why i like the Tundra most:-)

Btw the same question could be asked about the Bronco...

Just my 2 cents

[JYCM3]

I think it's depend where you live, here in CA, USA I see them everywhere on the street so very popluar here no doubt. Also as mentioned before, slow economy, higher price of the tundra compare to f350 and hilux and also most 3spd owners Already have f350 or hilux can't justify buy another one in this case tundra. I agree the tundra porportion is slightly off compare to 1:1 and the huge mirror is also wrong porportion but I've fixed that see my showroom. Funny thing is I have bunch of cool cars in my showroom but the tundra gets the most view and that number doubles compare to my next hight view car. So definately not a flop to me.

[JAnderson]

I enjoy mine

http://www.tamiyausa.com/articles/feature.php?article-id=378

The Tundra sell just fine in the USA