As you'd expect, Texas is America's largest market for full-sized pickup trucks. While pickup truck sales fell 14 percent nationally over the past four years, Bloomberg reports that they rose 5.2 percent in the Lone Star State. GM, Ford and Dodge aren't exactly celebrating, though. In 2007, Toyota's piece of that pie grew 79 percent, while the so-called domestics' slice dropped by five percent. Even worse, Dallas Ford dealer Sam Pack says a lot of those Tundra sales are conquest sales, "coming from traditionally Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge" buyers. While the raw numbers still favor The Big 2.8, Tundra's share of the Texas market rose from 4.7 to 8.4 percent last year. To git 'er done, Toyota put $6.4k worth of incentives on the hood, putting the Texas-built Tundra in the middle of the pack (Ford $6.6k, Chrysler $6.47k and GM $6k). As the pickup truck market shrinks even more in 2008, you can bet Toyota will continue its slow but steady incursion into the domestics' last redoubt. And watch those profit margins shrink.
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Growing up in Texas, I never gave any thought to it, but after leaving I was surprised to learn that the 2.8 do not market to other states individually. Chevy had an ad campaign for a few years that had some Bob Seger-like voice delivering the tag-line “Chevy, drivin’ Texas”. Both Chevy and Dodge currently offer Texas-themed packages like the Texas Edition Silverado and the Ram Lone Star edition. These packages usually include nothing more than a decal. When I moved to Wyoming, there was none of that. (Big surprise with Wyoming’s population ranked #50, but most of them drive trucks…) Down here in Colorado now there isn’t much localized manufacturer marketing either.
Looks like Toyota can just rely on “Made in Texas” and watch the cash roll in without any special packages.
N85523 (what kind of plane?),
“Growing up in Texas, I never gave any thought to it, but after leaving I was surprised to learn that the 2.8 do not market to other states individually.”
I recently transplanted to TX from AZ and am coming to understand this kind of brand marketing – Texans LOVE anything that has a single star, or the mention of ‘Texas’ on it – probably ups the selling percentages of everything. AZ and NM are pretty truck heavy, but there is something special about the way Texans feel about this state – something residents of other states either take for granted, or feel no reason to emulate. AZ is truly pretty special, too, but no one there wears it on their sleeve in quite the same way.
Aside: I drove my wife’s Accord the other day, so was low enough to notice the really BAD spot welds and poorly cut pieces noticeable between the tail-gate and the rear bumper on a new Tundra – which had a Texas Flag shaped sticker with “Tundra – Built By Texans FOR Texans” (sic). Yup. They’re proud here, but poor workmanship should not be so prideful.
Growing up in Texas, I never gave any thought to it, but after leaving I was surprised to learn that the 2.8 do not market to other states individually.
In recent years, they have done the same thing for Oklahoma. I remember Ford having a “Texas-Oklahoma” edition F150 and I think someone had a “Oklahoma” edition.
I have wondered if that happens in any other state(s).
Texans LOVE anything that has a single star, or the mention of ‘Texas’ on it
You bet!!
I have talked to people from other states who were surprised to learn that students in Texas must take “Texas History”. I had it in the seventh grade. I just always assumed that every state did this, but according to people I talk to, that’s not true.
I grew up in NM and learned NM History. My son has had AZ History, but when he enrolled in school here he was tasked with learning the Texas Pledge of Allegiance – it blew me away. I’m fine enough with it, but prefer Nationalism. Does any other state have their OWN pledge?
Back to cars…
DaPope: a question back, which other state used to be its own country?
I’m a native Texan, I don’t plan on leaving. (except to cover the NAIAS for TTAC) When I get a decent chunk of land outside of Houston’s 610 loop, you betcha I’ll be getting a truck.
That’s the way it is down here, nothing short of a 200% gas tax will stop us from buying trucks.
Sajeev: I hear ya. It’s definitely a beautiful state and we are enjoying living here. It’s just rather striking in its overt overtures to itself. Maybe soon I’ll ‘get it’ – have only been here a little over a year, and I’ve been drinking bottled water… :)
(I should add that I’m having to work my son out of using “fixin’ to” for everything)
Currently, I drive a ’98 Chevy 1500, which I have maintained well, and love (generally). However, I’ve been looking around for it’s replacement and I’m not at all sure what it will be. I’m uninspired by the new choices. It might turn out to be a previous generation Tundra – I’m with a lot of commentors to this site wondering “Who wants a truck where you can’t reach anything in the bed?”
DaPope,
N85523 is a 1946 Aeronca Champ with an O-200 putting out 100 horses of opposed, air cooled fury. She’s a hot-rod Champ. I love her more than I could love any automobile. Seen here
Sorry all for the wildly off-topic post, but it’s an airplane thing.
Sajeev Mehta :
which other state used to be its own country?
The final Jeopardy! clue the other day was something like name two of the four states that were independent republics before entering the union.
The obvious one is Texas. Who could forget, right? The other three were Hawaii, California and Vermont.
I am a native Texan. I never heard of a Texan pledge of allegiance. I also can’t understand why anyone would think we need one. As the other posts have noted, there is plenty of Texas patriotism.
When I moved to California, I had to go to a used book store to find anything on California history. I couldn’t believe it. We have sections here at the Barnes and Nobles for Texas history.
Reg,
Kudoos for your historic trivia. Here is a good one though. How many HOURS was California an independent country?
Ford covers six states at once by offering a 2008 F-150 “New England Edition” here in the northeast.
It includes 2008 a 5.4L V8, sliding rear window, tow Package, XLT Chrome package, Sirius radio, two-tone paint “and more!” (like running boards).
It is inevitable that transplant automakers will be seen as the local home team in the states in which they make vehicles.
I guess I could have guessed Vermont and Hawaii, but didn’t know about California.
Texas State Pledge w/ interesting facts:
http://www.texaspolicecentral.com/plrdge.html
Landcrusher – 25 days, right? So, I guess about 600 hours…
N85523 – I replied to you directly.
I am a native Texan. I never heard of a Texan pledge of allegiance. I also can’t understand why anyone would think we need one. As the other posts have noted, there is plenty of Texas patriotism.
At all Aggie home football games, we sing the state song and the national anthem.
Vermont was a country? Really.
Guess the ToyBoyz had their act together when they decided where to park the Tundra Pump.
Doesn’t Texas consume 20-25% of the PUs?
I know it’s alot.
I guess it is 25 days, I recalled it was only a day, but I seem to be incorrect.
BTW. We don’t consume pickups in Texas, we buy them, drive them, and either sell them, or let them rust on the lawn. We prefer to consume beer, steak, and TexMex food. Now, if a Texan is hungry enough, he may eat his horse, but I have never heard of one eating his pickup.
California teaches state history, too, during the fourth grade. And yes, Hawai’i was an independent country for centuries. Unlike Texas and California, though, it did not come to the US willingly, but was conquered by American businessmen (and the US Navy) in 1893, then finally annexed in 1898 (Manifest Destiny and all that). It’s been a state since 1959. I used to live in Texas, too, and remember learning Texas history, but never heard of a pledge of allegiance.
Does Ford, GM, and Dodge make flimsy tailgates and floppy truck beds in Texas also?
No, and their transmissions actually function as intended, unlike the Tundra.
BTW–the new Ram looks pretty impressive. The redesign should help shore up its share of this shrinking market.
to dapope just want to correct you on the tundra sticker it says “born in texas”, built by texans and what you saw between the tailgate is where the rearview camera connects i sell tundras and it must be a great truck we sold 42,294 just in the gulf states region in 2007