Toyota to kill Celica, MR2 Spyder
By Mark Rechtin
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.
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