Toyota Tundra "See Saw" Commercial - Myths and Facts
03-20-2007, 05:49 PM
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Toyota Tundra "See Saw" Commercial - Myths and Facts
This was sent to me by my uncle, a retired Ford engineer. I know there have been "deceptive" practices in advertisements ever since the advertisement was invented on cave walls. However, I found this interesting since I am familiar with the commercial. This was said to have come from a GMC dealer, take that for what it is worth and you can take all of this with a grain of salt for all I care, I found it interesting.
There has been a lot of talk about Toyota Tundra's new ads and how impressive they are. Here are some myths about their spots that I have found and that should be refuted. Also, they are offering a "IVC" type program on Tundra to help with sales. I would guess all of you have seen the ad where the Tundra pulls a trailer up a steep grade (a 'see-saw'), and then barrels down hill and locks the brakes up just before the end of the ramp. Many of you have commented on how well done the spot is visually. However, here are the actual facts to share with people:
- The voice over at the beginning of the spot says...."It's tough pushing 10,000 lbs up a steep grade".
Myth: Toyota would like the audience to believe the trailer is 10,000 lbs.
Fact: It's a 5,000 lb truck pulling a 5,000 lb trailer. A little slight of hand? You bet.
- Then, on the way down the grade, the camera zooms in on the brakes as the vehicles comes to a screeching halt just prior to the end of ramp. Next time you see the ad....look for the 'mice type'. It indicates the trailer is equipped with electric brakes.
Fact: The electric brakes stop the trailer -- not the truck. A little slight of hand? You bet.
- And why does Toyota have bigger brake pads? They need them....their truck is heavier. Stopping distance between our truck and theirs is virtually identical. And why does Toyota have a 6 speed transmission? To improve their fuel economy....which is still 2 mpg less than ours.
- And don't forget....their big V8 has one axle ratio -- a 4.3. Suck fuel much? Our trucks offer several axle options to optimize towing and fuel economy. Bottom line: OUR TRUCK IS BETTER! Spread the word.......we can all make a difference.
03-20-2007, 06:18 PM
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Funny thing is anyone that would tow a trailer knows that toyota will strugle like crap pulling 5000lbs.
I would never buy anything other than a ford or GM....Unless it was a big truck or dump truck....sure as hell would never depend on a toyota
I would never buy anything other than a ford or GM....Unless it was a big truck or dump truck....sure as hell would never depend on a toyota
03-20-2007, 08:40 PM
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Good info. I know most car companies fudge a bit on their advertising. Usually is obvious like the GM truck pulling the train. We know the truck couldn't but we get the message that it could tow quite a bit. But with Toyota they really acted like the Tundra could do that stuff and backed it up with quotes on weights or stopping distance. To me thats worse.
In defense of the people whom wrote that article I agree the GM truck is better!
In defense of the people whom wrote that article I agree the GM truck is better!
03-20-2007, 09:28 PM
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Got the same info Jason. From what I got in the email it was a GMC dealer who stacked GMC to tundra and the advertising.
Something GMC should go after in thier marketing.
Toyota is making a big deal about bigger this or stronger that.
Shoot back with a really? Why now does our truck still stop with smaller brakes. Get better MPG and have more towing. All in all its not Prof. Grade
GM should fire back like Ford is with the dirtyjobs guy doing the comparisons on TV. If GM chimes in with the same. You will see it is just an oversized Tacoma.
Something GMC should go after in thier marketing.
Toyota is making a big deal about bigger this or stronger that.
Shoot back with a really? Why now does our truck still stop with smaller brakes. Get better MPG and have more towing. All in all its not Prof. Grade
GM should fire back like Ford is with the dirtyjobs guy doing the comparisons on TV. If GM chimes in with the same. You will see it is just an oversized Tacoma.
03-21-2007, 06:20 AM
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So using electric brakes on a 5,000 trailer is "deceptive"? Er, no - that's simply common sense. And the crap about the 4.30 rear gears was already beat to death in another thread.
There are plenty of reasons to dislike the Tundra without picking apart its advertising. I seriously doubt that the Detroit 3 want anyone doing the same to their own ads.
There are plenty of reasons to dislike the Tundra without picking apart its advertising. I seriously doubt that the Detroit 3 want anyone doing the same to their own ads.
03-21-2007, 08:00 AM
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So using electric brakes on a 5,000 trailer is "deceptive"? Er, no - that's simply common sense. And the crap about the 4.30 rear gears was already beat to death in another thread.
There are plenty of reasons to dislike the Tundra without picking apart its advertising. I seriously doubt that the Detroit 3 want anyone doing the same to their own ads.
There are plenty of reasons to dislike the Tundra without picking apart its advertising. I seriously doubt that the Detroit 3 want anyone doing the same to their own ads.
03-21-2007, 09:09 AM
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03-21-2007, 09:12 AM
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To the average viewer none of this really matters. Average viewer does not understand towing numbers, average viewer also understands it's a set where the commercial is filmed. It may have the "neat" factor, but it won't make much more.
(Almost) all truck commercials are advertised as the most powerful in their class. At the end, the average viewer will gather than any truck is more powerful than the rest.
(Almost) all truck commercials are advertised as the most powerful in their class. At the end, the average viewer will gather than any truck is more powerful than the rest.
03-21-2007, 10:32 AM
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The fact remains that they say "stopping 10000 lbs," which is definitely meant to imply that the brakes are doing that work themselves. Simple as that.
If it is in fact a 5000 lb trailer, then they deliberately misled on that count too, if I recall the wording of the ad correctly.
Again, there is no question that powertrain is one impressive combo, and the truck is undoubtedly capable for a "half ton". But that is irrelevant to the fact that they were intentionally misleading people. Not even close to everyone who buys pickups uses them to tow (especially half tons).
That's what it seems to me.
Of course, Chevy did at one point imply that the Corvette could fly, but thankfully that ad got pulled before it fooled too many people.
If it is in fact a 5000 lb trailer, then they deliberately misled on that count too, if I recall the wording of the ad correctly.
Again, there is no question that powertrain is one impressive combo, and the truck is undoubtedly capable for a "half ton". But that is irrelevant to the fact that they were intentionally misleading people. Not even close to everyone who buys pickups uses them to tow (especially half tons).
That's what it seems to me.
Of course, Chevy did at one point imply that the Corvette could fly, but thankfully that ad got pulled before it fooled too many people.