Why did they stop making Toyota Yaris?
The Toyota Yaris, a compact and fuel-efficient car, was discontinued in the United States and Canada in 2020 due to a shift in consumer preferences towards larger vehicles and the rising popularity of SUVs and crossovers. While the Yaris was a popular model in many parts of the world, it struggled to maintain sales in the North American market in the face of these changing market dynamics.
Declining Demand for Compact Cars
The primary reason for the discontinuation of the Toyota Yaris in North America was the declining demand for compact cars. As consumer preferences shifted towards larger, more spacious vehicles, the Yaris, with its small size and limited cargo capacity, became less appealing to many buyers. This trend was particularly pronounced in the United States and Canada, where the popularity of SUVs, crossovers, and pickup trucks continued to grow, often at the expense of smaller, more fuel-efficient models.
Increased Competition from Other Brands
The Yaris also faced increased competition from other compact car models, such as the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and Hyundai Accent, which offered similar features and performance at competitive prices. These rival models were able to better adapt to the changing market conditions and capture a larger share of the shrinking compact car segment. web>
Shift in Toyota's Product Lineup
In addition to the declining demand for compact cars, Toyota's decision to discontinue the Yaris in North America was also influenced by a broader shift in the company's product lineup. As Toyota focused on expanding its lineup of SUVs, crossovers, and larger sedans, the Yaris became less of a priority for the automaker in the region. web>
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the Toyota Yaris in the United States and Canada was a result of a combination of factors, including the declining demand for compact cars, increased competition from rival models, and a shift in Toyota's product strategy towards larger, more profitable vehicles. While the Yaris may still be available in other parts of the world, its departure from the North American market reflects the changing preferences and dynamics of the automotive industry in the region.
What is the common problem with Toyota Yaris?
Common problems reported for the Toyota Yaris include issues with the automatic transmission (especially older models), power steering failure, air conditioning problems, and paint peeling, particularly on the roof and hood. Other frequently cited issues are engine and transmission problems, such as engine mounts, clutch slip, and rough idling. Some models have also been subject to significant recalls, including issues with airbag inflators and steering components.
This video discusses common problems and weaknesses of the used Toyota Yaris (I generation): 59sMasterCarsProYouTube · Jul 20, 2023
Powertrain
- Automatic Transmission: Can slip or have issues shifting, especially in older models, sometimes linked to a lack of regular fluid changes.
- Clutch: Slipping is a common issue, often indicated by high RPMs without corresponding speed, a burning smell, or a change in pedal height.
- Engine Mounts: Some owners report vibrations from damaged engine mounts.
- Rough Idling: Can occur due to dirty throttle bodies or injectors. Cleaning and replacing spark plugs can help.
- Oil Consumption: Some older models, particularly pre-2015, may burn more oil than expected.
Steering and suspension
- Power Steering: Malfunctions have been reported, leading to steering difficulties.
- Steering Wheel: Some owners report a loose or vibrating steering wheel, or a noisy steering system.
- Wheel Hubs: Noise, such as squealing, has been linked to faulty front and rear wheel hubs.
Electrical and accessories
- Air Conditioning: Malfunctions, such as leaks or the system not turning on, have been reported.
- Airbags: Faulty inflators have been the cause of a major recall.
- Headlights: Malfunction of headlight beams has been noted.
- Media Computer: Issues with the radio, GPS, and Bluetooth have occurred.
- Alarm System: Problems with alarm malfunction have been reported.
Body and paint
- Paint Peeling: A common problem is clear coat peeling, especially on the roof and hood.
- Scratches: Scratches can appear on the dashboard, around door locks, and in the trunk.
You can watch this video to learn about common problems of the Toyota Yaris iA: 59sSimple Mechanic AdviceYouTube · Dec 14, 2024
Why did Toyota discontinue the Yaris?
Toyota discontinued the Yaris primarily due to declining sales of small cars as consumers shifted to larger SUVs and crossovers. Additionally, the cost to meet new safety and emissions regulations for a new generation made the vehicle less profitable, especially in the competitive U.S. market where sales had already plummeted. Toyota is also focusing resources on its hybrid and electric vehicle development, with some markets introducing the smaller Yaris Cross SUV as a replacement.
- Declining market demand: The overall popularity of subcompact cars waned as many consumers in markets like the US began preferring larger vehicles like SUVs and crossovers.
- Profitability concerns: Making a new-generation Yaris compliant with modern safety and emissions standards would have made the entry-level model too expensive to build profitably.
- Strategic shift: Toyota redirected its resources and strategy towards hybrid and electric vehicles and larger models. In some regions, this meant launching the Yaris Cross SUV to fill the gap left by the discontinued Yaris sedan and hatchback.
- Model platform changes: The US market Yaris had been a rebadged Mazda2 for several years, indicating a lack of investment in its own subcompact platform.
Did Toyota bring back the Yaris?
Both Yaris and Yaris Hatchback have been discontinued, making 2020 the last model year for each vehicle. If you're a current Yaris or Yaris Hatchback owner, you'll still receive great service from your local Toyota Service Center.
What replaced the Toyota Yaris?
Like the current Yaris sedan, it's looking like the 2020 Yaris hatch will also be built by Mazda.
