Toyota to kill Celica, MR2 Spyder
07-17-2004, 09:58 PM
#1
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Toyota to kill Celica, MR2 Spyder
Toyota to kill Celica, MR2 Spyder - - By Mark Rechtin - - Source: Automotive News / July 16, 2004
LOS ANGELES -- Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. will delete two models that were part of its strategy to lure young buyers to the brand.
After the 2005 model year, Toyota will no longer sell the Celica coupe or MR2 Spyder convertible in America -- even though their global model cycle is due for a redesign, the automaker said Friday.
The new MR2 Spyder and redesigned Celica arrived in spring 2000 as part of the launch of Toyota's Genesis project, a precursor to Scion. But coupe and convertible sales are traditionally fickle, and the Toyota models suffered worse than most. Celica sales in 2000 hit 52,406 units, but dropped sharply to just 14,856 last year. Sales have fallen a further 33.8 percent through June. Celica sales also were expected to hurt with the arrival of the Scion tC coupe.
The mid-engine, rear-drive MR2 Spyder suffered from lack of cargo space, and never took off in America. It sold just 7,233 units in its debut year, falling to less than 3,000 units last year.
Celica production will cease at the end of July 2005. Production of the Celica will be about 500 units a month through December 2004, then about 250 through July 2005. Approximately 200 MR2's will be produced each month for U.S. consumption until January 2005.
LOS ANGELES -- Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. will delete two models that were part of its strategy to lure young buyers to the brand.
After the 2005 model year, Toyota will no longer sell the Celica coupe or MR2 Spyder convertible in America -- even though their global model cycle is due for a redesign, the automaker said Friday.
The new MR2 Spyder and redesigned Celica arrived in spring 2000 as part of the launch of Toyota's Genesis project, a precursor to Scion. But coupe and convertible sales are traditionally fickle, and the Toyota models suffered worse than most. Celica sales in 2000 hit 52,406 units, but dropped sharply to just 14,856 last year. Sales have fallen a further 33.8 percent through June. Celica sales also were expected to hurt with the arrival of the Scion tC coupe.
The mid-engine, rear-drive MR2 Spyder suffered from lack of cargo space, and never took off in America. It sold just 7,233 units in its debut year, falling to less than 3,000 units last year.
Celica production will cease at the end of July 2005. Production of the Celica will be about 500 units a month through December 2004, then about 250 through July 2005. Approximately 200 MR2's will be produced each month for U.S. consumption until January 2005.
07-17-2004, 10:45 PM
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Pit Stop?
If they would have kept the MR2 Turbo, similar to the sporty coupe they had in the early 90s, it might be a popular car today. Instead they made a convertible that looked like it was on too much Prozac. People don't like cars that smile at them 24/7, and the people that do, do not appreciate the capabilities of a turbo MR auto.....
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07-18-2004, 09:05 PM
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They should make a Scion Xd or whatever they will call it that will be a pure performance car to replace both of these cars. Get back to what the MR2 and Celica used to be.
07-20-2004, 11:38 AM
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IMO, the Celica has been downhill since they axed the ST185 All Trac Turbo (90-93) and didnt import the GT4 with the ST205 (94-99) body style. (I wont even mention the fact that the ST185 All Trac cost about $5G more than its 1G Eclipse GSX competition.)
As for the MR-S Spyder, that was SUCH a disappointment given how cool the 2G MR2 Turbo was. Granted it's a chick car, I'd get the Miata over the MR-S ANY day. $.02
As for the MR-S Spyder, that was SUCH a disappointment given how cool the 2G MR2 Turbo was. Granted it's a chick car, I'd get the Miata over the MR-S ANY day. $.02
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