Engineering the 2022 Toyota Tundra

Chief engineer Mike Sweers talks structure, materials and a different approach to hybrid power.

Toyota's third-generation 2022 Tundra was developed under the direction of veteran Mike Sweers, who has been the program's chief engineer since 2010. The all-new pickup is based on Toyota's F1 platform, shared with the Land Cruiser and the 2022 Lexus LX600 SUV. Sweers, who is also senior VP, Product Development Office, detailed the new Tundra's significant changes in a recent interview with SAE contributor Steve Macaulay.

Sweers noted that the new truck gets a fully boxed frame, whereas the outgoing truck's frame featured open channels. “You've heard me talk for years about open C-sections and why open ‘Cs’ are important,” Sweers said. “My competitors have criticized me for using a ‘C’ because our current pickup truck has a lot of compliance.” That benefits ride quality, a key focus of the Tundra development team and an attribute worth carrying into the new SUV.