Toyota to scrap Celica, MR2 models

[Ming]

Toyota to scrap Celica, MR2 models

By Shawn Langlois, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 3:19 PM ET July 16, 2004
E-mail it | Print | Alert | Reprint | RSS

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- Toyota Motor on Friday officially announced plans to discontinue its demand-starved Celica and MR2 sports cars by the end of the 2005 model year, paving the way for brands such as the Scion.

Sales figures for the two cars have been extremely low, especially when compared with the wildly popular Camry and Corolla models.

"Our dealers tell us that the volume has been so small that certain stores haven't had one of these on the lot for months and don't know when they will get any more," said Mark McCready, director of pricing strategy and market analysis at CarsDirect.com.

To put demand in perspective, Toyota in June sold 37,603 units of its best-selling Camry, compared with only 790 Celicas and 263 MR2 Spyders.

Mike Chung, pricing and market analyst at Edmunds.com, said that the market will now move toward the comparable Scion line.

"People are just beginning to realize that Scion is Toyota, and Toyota doesn't want to cannibalize their own brands," he said.

The Celica was first introduced in the U.S. in 1971 and has drawn such accolades as Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year," one of Car and Driver's "Ten Best Cars" and Consumer Reports "Most Reliable Sporty Car."

"The past few years, however, have been very challenging for both Celica and MR2 as competition in a segment where 'what's new' dominates," Don Osmond, general manager at Toyota, explained in a statement.

Toyota's "what's new" brands include the Matrix and Corolla XRS, Solara sports coupe and the Scion XA, XB and TC, said Osmond.

Gabriel Shenhar, senior test engineer at Consumer Reports, said the announcement had been expected for a long time.

Story Here

[Swahili]

This to me is surprising since about a year ago all I thought I saw were Celica's. At the same time, I had to look up a picture of the MR2 on the net because I had forgotten what they look like. With Honda sales going down, now Toyota's, it appears the Japanese industry at least in Canada (which isn't a very big portion mind you) is taking a hit. Is this the same case as in the States?

Being that I don't know much about the Scion line, I'm going to have to take a look at which vehicles are relpacing the Celica and Spyder.

[giagastormer]

the Scion tC is essentially a replacement for the Celica

[tgagneguam]

Originally posted by giagastormer@Jul 17 2004, 01:29 AM
the Scion tC is essentially a replacement for the Celica

Agreed. And there certainly is more than a passing resemblance between the two; the tC seems to be a smoothed over version.

Overall, this makes sense on Toyota's part.

[Askani]

It'd be nice if they scrap Toyota as a whole....

Actaully I'm rather happy, for all the hoopla that Scion has been getting I've barely seen any on the street. And this is in Miami, the import capital of central America... They have one at the local mall with a set of flames on the hood, there is nothing like a cheap set of flames on a box to boost sales...

However, I rather like the celicas from the late seventies...Compact, RWD, stickshift car with decent styling considering the times...

[Branden]

Wow...Toyota adds Scion, and cancels overlapping models in the Toyota brand.....and no one can understand how they are taking over the world!

[ByTheLake]

Okay, I doubt that many folks in this forum will give a damn about the announcement that Toyota will drop those two cars.

Personally, it's sad. I miss my 1987 MR2 more than any previous can that I've owned. I currently own an '04 Corvette, but that little MR2 was the most fun I've ever had with a vehicle.

It wasn't much to look at, but it had a wonderfully high revving, great sounding powerplant just behind the two seats. The handling was superb. The interior quality and ergonomics were excellent. Wish I had that little car today.

RIP Mister Two. You'll be fondly remembered.

[SUPERBADD75]

the problem with both of these cars in their current form is that they are butt ugly!! the tC is a much nicer looking car, and it's way cheap. THAT is a sports car to appeal to the younger generation.

[Randle2I]

I too am saddened that these cars will no longer see the light of day. I'm not a big Toyota fan, however the older Celicas & MR2's where & still are excellant vehicles. I would love to see an all-trac edition come out just before production ends, even as ugly as they are I would love to own one.

[Askani]

I love how Scion is touting their 160 Hp 4-banger like it's some sort of revolutionary powerplant, forget that GM posted those same numbers almost ten years ago, and yet these rice-burners claim to buy imports because of their performance...

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

And the Celica itself had a 180hp from it's 1.8 (in the top-line version).

IIRC, the Celica is Toyota's oldest car name, Buick drops the LeSabre and Toyota kills the Celica...

[atomicshark]

The problem with the Celica and MR2 is that Toyota priced them out of reach. A loaded Celica costing over $25,000 is nuts! Also the engines on these cars are torque-less wonders that were unchanged in years and were uncompetitive. Chalk this one up to neglect. Too bad, the Celica looks cool and was the first to achieve the "Arts and Science" look that Caddy is now moving to.
With a better looking mug and engine the MR2 could have seriously competed with the S2000, Miata and Boxters of the world.

[karhopper]

I'm a Chevy person myslf and also the other car companies the General has, but I have a special place in my hart for Toyota. And the Celica and MR2 are kinda the staples of the Toyota company. The MR2 I always though was very different for itself. Next to the Feiro, the MR2 was the the cheapest mid-rear car that you can buy. Sad to see them go out like this. So I pour this 40oz for them

[GroundedZ]

Sad really. I actually like the first and second gererantion MR2's. Rear-mid engined - RWD - T-tops. But I feel the latest version of the MR2 is just down-right fugly - that and lack of exposure is what killed it's sales.

Funny. Toyota must have known something had to be done with the MR2 because about a month ago they announced a free demo disc of Grand Turismo 4 with the selection of either an MR2 or Prius brochures from their website.

However - if Toyota is pulling the Celica out - they're going to want something to fill the void left behind. That means Scion will expand to Canada.

YAY for toaster vans!! <_<

[BigAls87Z28]

bwhahahahahahahah...Im sorry, but this is just hilarous.
Buick, please welcome Toyota to the "old people's car" club. Anyone wana bring up the Supra rumors?

"All Toyota's now come with a Ben *** dispensor in the dash, along speed limited engine to 35mph."

Toyota, Home of Boring Design and Development.