Toyota takes 'hard look' at trimming U.S. lineup as profits rise (86 cancelled?)

[mikeavelli]

Saw this... makes me sad....

 

[Motor]

Four-cylinder Supra and electric MR2 could take its place at Toyota

A 4-cyl Supra is called a Celica. An electric MR-S/MR2...I don't know about that . So much for the "Three Brothers".

Toyota vows to beef up utility lineup, stay committed to cars
https://www.autonews.com/nada-show/toyota-vows-beef-utility-lineup-stay-committed-cars

Toyota Motor Corp. on Sunday promised U.S. dealers a slew of new products -- including hot utilities such as a redesigned three-row Highlander coming this year -- as it tries to remain the nation's top-selling retail brand.

Toyota Division General Manager Jack Hollis told dealers at the NADA Show make meeting that the brand intends to introduce 19 new, redesigned or freshened vehicles over the next three years. That includes the recently unveiled Supra and a Corolla and Corolla hybrid sedan this year.

In addition to punching up its utility lineup, Toyota remains committed to the sedan segment, even as rivals such as Ford and General Motors abandon it or pare back, Hollis said. That will be a competitive advantage for retailers moving forward, especially as Toyota and its dealers expect to lose market share on the popular Tacoma midsize pickup with new segment entries such as the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator, he said.

"We're still committed to being a full-line manufacturer," Hollis told Automotive News.

The brand seeks to improve dealership profitability, which Hollis described as roughly even last year compared with 2017. Still, when the numbers are finalized, 2018 will end up being among the brand’s top 5 years for dealership profitability, he said.

Hollis detailed a slew of hybrid models on the horizon but noted that the brand is holding off on offering full-electric vehicles until there's a better business case.

"The equations around electric aren't making money," he said.

Toyota typically ranks among the most-liked brands in the industry, and its dealership network is consistently profitable, which usually means pleasant make meetings. Sunday was no different; the scheduled 75-minute session ended 20 minutes early.

"They're on top of things in terms of the product mix," said Stephen Wade, owner of Stephen Wade Toyota in St. George, Utah. "Day in and day out, they score really well with us."

Another dealer declined to comment beyond simply saying: "It was a Toyota meeting. Of course it was good."

 

[spwolf]

it looks like fake news.

Also, what in the world does Supra 4cly have to do with FT86? That is certainly fake news... Supra will be 60% more expensive than FT86, but someone from USA "news blog" writing fake news does not understand this.

 

[Gecko]

Everything I have heard indicates 86 is dead, so I guess we will see.

 

[spwolf]

Everything I have heard indicates 86 is dead, so I guess we will see.

since when? Didnt they recently say it is in development?

Or maybe Subaru pulled out.

 

[Gecko]

since when? Didnt they recently say it is in development?

Or maybe Subaru pulled out.

From what I have heard, the car just isn't selling, dealers don't want it and there was no interest in a second generation with the SUV craze.

 

[spwolf]

reports have been denied by both Subaru and Toyota separately

After we talked to Toyota yesterday about whether the 86 was going to be axed, and receiving an immediate reply that this is totally false, we thought we ought to chat with Subaru, too, and find out their plans about the BRZ.

Subaru USA spokesman Ron Kinno’s response was swift and leaves no room for interpretation:

“We do not endorse this report coming from Japan’s Best Car”, he told CarScoops. “We are moving ahead with a next-generation Subaru BRZ, but have no further details at this time.”

.

https://www.carscoops.com/2019/01/subaru-tells-us-next-gen-brz-definitely-going-happen/

so fake news indeed.