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Toyota Unveils All-New Four-Door Tacoma Double Cab Pickup

9 February 2000

Toyota Unveils All-New Four-Door Tacoma Double Cab Pickup; Cites 'Year of the Truck and SUV'

    CHICAGO, Feb. 9 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. Inc.,
today unveiled the all-new four-door Tacoma Double Cab compact pickup at a
news conference at the Chicago Auto Show.  The 2001 Tacoma Double Cab is one
of five all-new light truck products Toyota will bring to market over the next
12 months.
    "This year, Toyota will step up the pace in broadening the Tacoma compact
pickup line-up, in response to what is emerging as one of the most diverse
buyer segments in the industry," said Don Esmond, Toyota Division group vice
president and general manager.  "Tacoma Double Cab is a key part of a strategy
designed to elevate the Toyota brand to a position among the industry leaders
in the North American light-truck segment.  For Toyota, this will be the 'Year
of the Truck and SUV.'"
    When it arrives at Toyota dealers in October, the Tacoma Double Cab will
deliver the cargo-hauling capability of a pickup truck, the passenger
roominess and comfort of an SUV and rugged styling that makes a strong
active-lifestyle statement.
    The Tacoma Double Cab will assume premier status in the Tacoma lineup.  It
will be offered in SR5 and Limited trim levels with available off-road
package, in either the two-wheel drive PreRunner series with four- or
six-cylinder engines, or as a 4x4 -- powered exclusively by the 190-horsepower
six.
    With years of experience building the Toyota Hilux four-door pickup for
markets in Europe, Asia and Australia, it would have been easy to build a
Tacoma-version of this well-known commercial-use truck.  Instead, Toyota
engineers developed an all-new pickup ... long ... tall ... and built
specifically for the U.S. market.
    Tacoma Double Cab will offer eleven inches of class-leading ground
clearance, and a 61-inch cargo bed, that's six-and-a-half inches longer than
Nissan Frontier.  Its four, large conventional doors open to a well-appointed
and roomy interior featuring spacious front and rear seating and a 60/40
fold-down rear bench with three-point outboard belts.
    The Tacoma Double Cab will attract a broad range of pickup buyers.  First
and foremost, it will appeal to repeat truck owners who need the cargo hauling
capability of a pickup, with the added benefit of more interior roominess for
crew and valuables.
    Next, it will attract young singles and couples with an active lifestyle,
who are involved in the outdoors and group activities and need plenty of space
for gear.
    Finally, the Double Cab will serve as the perfect alternative to a minivan
or SUV, for young families who will be drawn to its hybrid utility,
versatility and aggressive image.
    Esmond pointed out that the Double Cab is a critical part of Toyota's
overall light-truck strategy, due to the Tacoma lineup's ability to attract
young buyers to the brand.  Last month, at the Detroit auto show, Toyota
unveiled Sequoia, a full-size sport utility vehicle.  The V8-powered
Tundra-based SUV will be built alongside the Tundra at Toyota's production
facility in Princeton, Indiana.
    A new StepSide Tacoma, a Tacoma Pre-Runner and a supercharged Tacoma 4x4
shared the stage in Chicago with the Double Cab, which will arrive at
dealerships in October.
    Toyota also announced that two all-new sport utility vehicles will debut
at the New York Auto Show in April.
    "Much more than an SUV or minivan alternative, the Tacoma Double Cab is a
life-style statement," said Esmond.  "It has been specifically developed to
position the Tacoma line of compact pickups as a serious player in one of the
industry's most dynamic segments.  For Toyota, it is the 'Year of the Truck
and SUV' ... and we got the game."