Toyota Smells The Hatchback Comeback, Drops Yaris Sedan
When Toyota built the first generation of its Vitz subcompact in 1998, the firm had no plans to sell it in the US under the Yaris nameplate (as it was called in Europe). Instead it sold a four-door and two-door version of the Platz, which was mechanically identical but had unique sheetmetal (except for the front doors), as the Echo. The Echo fell into a pattern that seems to have repeated itself several times in Toyota’s recent subcompact past: a year of growth, and then a drop. Eventually, Toyota brought the Yaris nameplate to the US, with a hatchback option in tow, and found its strongest performer in this class since the Tercel.
Now, with the hatchback bodystyle back in vogue, Toyota’s dropping the Yaris sedan altogether for the new generation, debuting later this year. It’s not the JDM/Euro Yaris/Vitz which Bertel showed us back in December, but it is being built at the revolutionary Sendai plant he visited in Fbruary. And without a sedan counterpoint, it will definitely mark an entirely new approach for Toyota’s US-market subcompact strategy.
More by Edward Niedermeyer
Latest Car Reviews
Read moreLatest Product Reviews
Read moreRecent Comments
- Master Baiter The picture is of a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
- SCE to AUX SAE Level 2 autonomy requires the driver to be the monitor, nothing more.That's the problem, and Tesla complies with this requirement.
- Lou_BC I read an interesting post by a master engine builder. He's having a hard time finding quality parts anywhere. The other issue is most young men don't want to learn the engine building trade. He's got so much work that he will now only work on engines his shop is restoring.
- Tim Myers Can you tell me why in the world Mazda uses the ugliest colors on the MX5? I have a 2017 in Red and besides Black or White, the other colors are horrible for a sports car. I constantly hear this complaint. I wish someone would tell whoever makes theses decisions that they need a more sports car colors available. They’d probably sell a lot more of them. Just saying.
- Dartman EBFlex will soon be able to buy his preferred brand!
Comments
Join the conversation
I like the HB idea. Now add awd/4wd, and a few more inches of ground clearance with fold flat rear seats, and good "5 O'clock" views. Or bring back the Corolla wagon, or remake the Stanza wagon.
So...are insurance premiums higher for hatchbacks(not suburban utility vehicles or child utility vehicles)? I've never owned one so I wouldn't know. I hear they are, but don't have first-hand experience. Perhaps this is part of the reason for the dislike of hatchbacks.