Toyota’s Tundra plans a slap in the face to government
Just days after the government flagged the introduction of mandated emission targets for new vehicles, one carmaker made a stunning announcement.
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OPINION
Australia’s most popular car brand appears to be thumbing its nose at the Federal Government’s mandated CO2 emissions target for new vehicles.
Less than a week after the Federal Government flagged the possibility of an emissions target, Toyota announced it was looking at importing its mammoth Tundra pick-up to Australia.
The timing was curious, to say the least. It’s either an extremely poorly thought-out PR strategy or a deliberate message to the government – and consumers – that big, thirsty utes are here for the long term.
If and when it arrives – Toyota says it is evaluating a right-hand drive conversion program for the US-built truck – it will be the thirstiest vehicle in the maker’s line-up.
Even with hybrid assistance, the monster twin-turbo V6 emits between 260 and 290 grams of CO2 per kilometre depending on the model you choose. That’s up to three times the European Union’s current enforceable CO2 target of 95g/km for passenger vehicles.
Toyota’s not Robinson Crusoe in this regard, though. General Motors offers only two cars in Australia: the V8 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck and the Corvette supercar. RAM only has one vehicle on sale and it’s a giant V8 pick-up truck.
It doesn’t end there. Ford has announced plans to introduce the F-Series truck here next year, to supplement it’s twin-turbo V6 petrol Raptor ute. The Ford, RAM and Chevrolet all use more fuel than a 2014 Holden Commodore V8. That’s progress for you.
These pick-ups represent the very worst of the American car industry and appeal to the most anti-social of motorists.
The Baby Boomers who can afford these behemoths wear them like a badge of honour – an “up yours” to the younger generation.
After all, they need something huge to tow the boats, jetskis, trail bikes and caravans they bought with all the money they made from the crippling explosion in property prices.
And the tailpipe emissions aren’t the only thing that’s anti-social about these pick-ups. They weigh substantially more than two tonnes, which means they stop and change direction with the agility of an ocean liner. Good luck to any P-platers in affordable hatchbacks that get in their way.
And if you think the next generation of electric pick-ups will be any safer think again. The new Hummer weighs more than four tonnes and can reach 100km/h in three seconds flat – as fast as a Ferrari 488. Imagine that weapon in the hands of an impatient tradie on a Friday afternoon.
Our carpark used to mimic Europe’s but every day we’re getting closer to Texas.
A decade ago hatchbacks and sedans made up 53 per cent of vehicles sold. Now it’s just 20 per cent. SUVs and utes used to be 44 per cent of the market. Now they make up 77 per cent.
While sales of 2WD utes, generally used by sparkies and plumbers, have remained fairly static, sales of 4WD utes, which have become de facto family wagons, have increased by 54 per cent.
And worst of all, this new wave of off-roaders is being subsidised by the taxpayer because they are FBT-exempt for buyers with an ABN.
The tax office would make a killing if it went to the caravan parks, beaches and ski fields to see how many “tool-of-trade” vehicles were being used exclusively for leisure.
Originally published as Toyota’s Tundra plans a slap in the face to government
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