[john.p]

Back in April (last month) Toyota debuted the FT-4X concept in New York. In the video below you'll find a 16 minute video covering all of it. Toyota shows a lot of the concept, helping to get an idea of who its geared towards, the design, and more.

 

[NY-TJ]

My biggest issue with the TJ reveal is they had too much focus around it being a urban product. Its roots are still tied heavily to the original FJ and playing more on its off-road capabilities would have been better. But maybe i'm wrong and showing urban environments is better = lucrative to Toyota.

 

[ToyoForLife]

It's smart marketing towards the targeted demographic, younger buyers who needs something to drive around the city and for weekend getaways. They certainly did a good job highlighting all the TJ Cruiser gadgetry.

 

[NY-TJ]

It's smart marketing towards the targeted demographic, younger buyers who needs something to drive around the city and for weekend getaways. They certainly did a good job highlighting all the TJ Cruiser gadgetry.

Sure is, aside from all the other reasons to target the younger demographic with these. Interestingly enough the article linked to below highlights some of those other reasons. While reading it you'll be reminded of how ideal the TJ is

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/news/what-young-car-buyers-want---and-what-they-actually-get/article18343278/

 

[ToyoForLife]

So practicality, safety, style and pricing is what buyers are looking for, sounds like what ever other car buyer no matter the generation is looking for. But their pricing expectations seems very detached from reality when it comes to getting a new car. Unless it's a really old model that a dealership is trying to get rid of, $10,000 for a new car seems very unlikely.

Will be interesting to see how Toyota will try to sell the TJ Cruiser to such a budget minded bunch.

 

[RoughDay]

$10,000 for a new car just won't happen. I can only imagine how bare bones it'll be, after the cost of making the body and interior, it'll be Flinstone powered.

There's really only a certain point where they'll try to sell it at and can sell it at. I doubt this is going to be a product where they'll be willing to take a loss on.

 

[ToyoForLife]

I doubt it too, which means Toyota will have to target a different age group if the production model ever comes out. I think a starting price of $25,000 is fair depending on what it'l come with.

 

[RoughDay]

Even a $25k starting price will still put it in line with millennial and the younger generation no problem. But that does sound like a much more reasonable price point. There isn't going to be any vehicles selling for $10k brand new period, until Tata comes over and brings along the weird line up of cars like the Nano that costs a mere $2000 lmao.

 

[NY-TJ]

I doubt it too, which means Toyota will have to target a different age group if the production model ever comes out. I think a starting price of $25,000 is fair depending on what it'l come with.

Toyota is better off positioning this as a low $20k product to start. But that's going to mean something very basic which might sound bad, compare that to what Kia and Jeep is offering and very quickly you can see how Toyota can fit right into that.

 

[ToyoForLife]

Perhaps Toyota can keep prices down by following the Scion production model. There was only 1 trim, if I recall correctly, and that streamlined the production process. Only variation were accessories your dealership could add themselves and the paint color.

Perhaps Toyota can use that sale model.

 

[NY-TJ]

Perhaps Toyota can keep prices down by following the Scion production model. There was only 1 trim, if I recall correctly, and that streamlined the production process. Only variation were accessories your dealership could add themselves and the paint color.

Perhaps Toyota can use that sale model.

That won't do the TJ any good since it won't give them any better competitive edge with pricing and they won't be able to make higher TJ trims that get hardcore like a Jeep Trailhawk which will always have a group willing to buy.

They just need to follow what they already do with the Tacoma, FJ, Tundra, etc.

 

[RoughDay]

The Tacoma seems to be on the right track for sure and if they follow that and, eventually come out with the TRD Pro edition, that'll be a win. Didn't they have another high trim level for the Tacoma as well before you get to TRD Pro?

 

[NY-TJ]

The Tacoma seems to be on the right track for sure and if they follow that and, eventually come out with the TRD Pro edition, that'll be a win. Didn't they have another high trim level for the Tacoma as well before you get to TRD Pro?

SR5 is one of them. Don't know if we'll see that here with the TJ since that seems to be more reserved for the bigger Toyota trucks and SUV's. Just look at the CH-R and Rav4, we don't see SR5 trims on those.

 

[RoughDay]

That's true. So a TRD version is all that I'll really be anticipating.

Aside from that, I'm going to be looking towards who Toyota partners with to see if they create some sort of 5AD editions or even kits available.

 

[ToyoForLife]

But the CH-R and Rav4 are road going vehicles and doesn't really need the features that SR5 offers like the heavy duty towing package. Handy, but not something CH-R and Rav4 drivers will ever really use.