Toyota T100: АҚШ нарығы үшін жасалған толық көлемді пикап

The Toyota T100 is a full size pickup truck produced by Toyota between 1992 and 1998. It was developed strictly for the US (and Canadian) markets, where larger pickups have a sizable market share.

As Toyota firmly established itself in the North American compact pickup truck market in the 1980s through 1990s, the company offered a truck that was larger than the compact as an alternative to the traditional North American full size pickup truck market. North American Toyota dealers had long been clamoring for a full sized Toyota truck, especially in light of the high percentage of Toyota Pickup owners who moved on to domestic full sized trucks. The T100 reflected a philosophy of designing products specifically for localized international markets, where traditional products sold and made in Japan wouldn't sell well. This approach is also demonstrated with the introduction of the mid size Toyota Camry (XV10) which was larger than the compact Toyota Camry (V30) in 1991, and again in 1997 when the Toyota Sienna replaced the slow selling Toyota Previa. Rumored for many years before, the 1993 Toyota T100 boasted a full size (8 ft) pickup bed but retained the engine and suspension setup of its smaller and older sibling, the compact Toyota Truck. Although the T100 was a bit larger than the competitive mid size Dodge Dakota, it was still markedly smaller than full size American pickup trucks of the time. This meant that the T100 occupied its own niche in the truck market.

Upon introduction, the T100 was criticized for being too small to appeal to buyers of full size work trucks, the lack of an extended cab, and the lack of a V8 engine; with the only available engine was a 3.0 liter V6, which was already found in Toyota's compact trucks and in the 4Runner. Although considered criticisms by many, Toyota stated these were all factors that were taken into consideration when designing and producing the T100. They claimed the smaller size was planned to offer a larger truck with a compact "feel", an Xtracab was on the horizon and the 3.0 liter V6 would provide far better fuel economy than the vehicles it aspired to rival. Both the V6 engine and the somewhat smaller dimensions were influenced by environmental concerns, issues that were irrelevant to American pickup buyers. The T100 received only minor changes throughout its run, aside from the engine changes and the Xtracab addition. A driver side airbag was installed for MY 1994 (a passenger side airbag never became available), and larger 16 inch wheels became the norm for most of the 4X4 models starting in 1996. It was evident by late 1996/ early 1997 that Toyota was already investing in its next truck (what ultimately became the Toyota Tundra). At the time (late 1990s) some believed a revamped T100 with a V8 engine was on the way, and there were some reports that altered V8 powered T100s were used as test mules, but ultimately it never came to pass, and the T100 was superseded by the Toyota Tundra. Toyota Racing Development (TRD) introduced a supercharger for the 3.4 liter engine in 1996 and it became available for the T100, the Tacoma and the 4Runner with the 3.4 liter V6 (and later the Tundra). Horsepower jumped to the range (depending on the generation of the supercharger) and to of torque. This power add on was available for 1997–1998 T100s only. Earlier 3.4 V6 powered T100s have different computer and electrical layouts which do not support the TRD device. The T100 was manufactured and partially engineered by Toyota subsidiary Hino. Three trim lines were offered: the base model, the DX, and the top of the line SR5. The maximum towing capacity was 5,200 lb (2,360 kg) and the truck had a payload limit of 2,450 pounds. Although most trucks fell within the 1/2 ton category, a 1 ton model was offered (in two wheel drive form) for several of its earlier years until finally being dropped because of a lack of interest. All T100s were assembled in Tokyo, Japan and as a result were subject to a 25% import tariff on all imported light trucks. The T100 was the last Japanese built Toyota pickup made for North America when production ceased in July 1998, sales being phased out in August and ending with the 1998 model year. The T100 was replaced by the larger V8 powered Tundra which debuted in 1999. Toyota had originally planned to continue the T100 naming system by calling the new truck the "Toyota T 150"; Ford made a successful claim that this was a trademark infringement of their F 150 and the name had to be changed.