Toyota Unveils V8-Powered, Four-Door Full-Size Pickup Truck Concept At Chicago Show
4 February 1998
Toyota Unveils V8-Powered, Four-Door Full-Size Pickup Truck Concept At Chicago Show
CHICAGO, Feb. 4 -- Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS), Inc.
unveiled a concept version of the T150 full-size pickup truck during a news
conference today at the 90th Chicago Auto Show. The one-of-a-kind show truck
was designed to offer consumers a strong hint to the direction of the new
full-size "T150" pickup Toyota will build at its new manufacturing facility in
Gibson County, Ind., and begin selling in the Spring of 1999.
"We have learned a lot about the domestic full-size truck market since we
launched the T100 in the U.S. five years ago," said Dave Illingworth, TMS
senior vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. "The full-
size truck buyer is easy to identify, but difficult to win over. This is a
brand-loyal consumer who has purchased and replaced full-size pickups, over
and over ... perhaps for generations."
"Although the T100 established a solid niche, it was not the truck this
buyer was looking for," said Illingworth. "It needed to be larger and more
substantial. It needed the power of a V8 engine and the capacity to haul more
and tow more ... considerably more. It needed to offer a roomier interior and
four doors to make it easier to get into ... and out of."
"It also needed to be built in America because it needed to offer better
value. Finally, it will be all this and much more, when it arrives at Toyota
dealerships in the spring of 1999."
The all-new Toyota T150 will be built exclusively at Toyota's new
$700-million, 1,160-acre Indiana production facility, which broke ground in
May of 1996. The 1,536,840-sq.-ft. plant will handle stamping, plastics,
welding, painting and assembly operations. It will employ 1,300 workers when
it goes on-line in early 1999, with an annual production capacity of 100,000
units.
When it hits the showrooms, the T150 will be available in two-and four-
wheel drive, powered by either a V8 or V6 engine, in standard and four-door
extended cab configurations.
The T150 4x4 concept unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show is powered by the
same 4.7-liter DOHC V8 engine that powers the all-new '98 Land Cruiser. It
features rugged, powerful styling, with massive over-fenders and front grille
treatment. Hand-cut 33 x 12.5 B.F. Goodrich tires mounted on 18-inch alloy
wheels feature a tread design that portrays the availability of the new V8
engine, as well as the state of Indiana, with a cut-out noting the Gibson
County plant location.
Fog lamps are mounted into the front air dam. Bed lamps are integrated
into the roll bar and a color-keyed rear valence houses dual exhaust pipes and
custom back-up lights.
Large color-keyed rear door handles clearly identify the four-door
function and provide easier operation from the outside than door-jam
mechanisms. Inside, the concept truck features a one-din navigation system,
dual air bags with passenger-side cut-off switch and unique leather
upholstery, accented by titanium polished metal-look trim components that also
are featured on the vehicle's exterior.
"The T150 that debuts next spring will retain much of the style and flair
of the concept vehicle you see here today," said Illingworth. "Beneath its
hood will beat the heart of the Land Cruiser ... a high-torque V8 engine with
exceptional fuel economy and LEV-standard emissions technology. In the truest
sense, it will be a domestically built ... full-size pickup ... aimed squarely
at the biggest, 'baddest' most-exclusive segment in the industry."
SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.