Why were Celicas discontinued?

In brief, Toyota ended the Celica after the mid-2000s period because sales declined and consumer demand shifted away from two-door sports coupes toward SUVs and crossovers, with no direct replacement planned for the lineup. The move reflected broader market trends and Toyota’s strategic priorities at the time.

Context and history of the Celica

The Celica debuted in 1970 and evolved through seven generations, earning a place as Toyota’s affordable, compact sports coupe. The seventh generation, launched for the 2000 model year, offered sharper styling, a sport-oriented GT-S variant, and enhanced handling capabilities. Production of the Celica continued in various markets until the mid-2000s, with final model years generally landing around 2005–2006 depending on the country.

Why Toyota discontinued the Celica

The decision to end the Celica rested on several interrelated factors. The following list highlights the central drivers driving the discontinuation.

• Declining global sales and waning appeal in key markets, particularly in North America, where the model had struggled to maintain strong volumes.


• Market shift away from two-door sport coupes as consumers favored SUVs, crossovers, and more practical vehicles for everyday use.


• Lack of a clear, cost-effective replacement within Toyota’s lineup, meaning no direct Celica successor was planned in the mid-2000s.


• Rising competition from other performance-oriented vehicles and changing buyer preferences, which eroded the Celica’s relative market position.


• Costs associated with updating the platform to meet evolving safety and emissions standards across multiple regions, balanced against profitability.

In summary, a combination of shrinking demand for the Celica’s segment, competition, and corporate prioritization of other models led Toyota to discontinue the car without a direct replacement.

Timeline of production and discontinuation

The following timeline captures key moments in the Celica’s exit from Toyota’s lineup.

• 2000: Seventh-generation Celica launches with modern styling and the performance-oriented GT-S variant in many markets.


• 2005: Toyota announces the Celica will be discontinued after the 2005 model year in North America, signaling the end of the model’s core market presence there.


• 2006: Remaining global production winds down; the Celica is officially retired in most markets by the end of the model year.

These milestones illustrate how the model’s life cycle progressed from a period of refreshment to a relatively rapid wind-down as market conditions changed.

Legacy and what came after

The Celica remains remembered for its role in defining Toyota’s sporting image during its run and for its rally-era lineage in earlier generations. While there was no direct Celica replacement, Toyota later introduced the Toyota 86 (also sold as the GT86 in some markets) in 2012 as a modern, entry-level rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. The 86 occupies a different niche and reflects a broader shift toward modern, driver-focused coupes rather than a direct continuation of the Celica’s formula.

The Toyota 86 as an informal successor

Developed in collaboration with Subaru, the 86 offers light weight, balanced handling, and a contemporary price point aimed at enthusiasts. Although not a direct successor to the Celica, it embodies Toyota’s continued interest in accessible, engaging two-door performance cars in a different era.

Fan culture and market impact

Enthusiast communities have kept memories of the Celica alive, highlighting its rally heritage and design milestones. The model’s discontinuation is often cited as emblematic of the broader shift away from traditional two-door sports coupes toward more versatile and technologically advanced vehicles in the 2000s and beyond.

Summary

The Celica was discontinued primarily because sales fell and consumer preferences moved toward SUVs and crossovers, with no clear, economically viable replacement in Toyota’s lineup. While the Celica’s run ended, Toyota redirected its strategy toward newer offerings like the 86 and toward segments with stronger growth prospects, leaving behind a legacy that remains influential for sports-car enthusiasts and Toyota’s design evolution.

Did Toyota stop making Celicas?

Yes, the Toyota Celica was discontinued after the 2005 model year in North America and production ceased in 2006. However, there are reports and official comments from Toyota executives suggesting that a new generation of the Celica is expected to be revived, potentially for the 2026 or 2027 model year, as indicated by CarsDirect and CarSauce. 
This video discusses the discontinuation of the Celica and potential revival: 55sKirk KreifelsYouTube · Nov 26, 2024
Why the Celica was discontinued

• Global shift away from sports cars: In the early 2000s, there was a worldwide trend away from smaller sports cars, leading to lower sales.
• Emissions regulations: Stricter emissions regulations made it uneconomical for Toyota to continue producing the Celica in its existing form.
• Poor marketing: Some sources suggest that poor marketing also contributed to its discontinuation. 

Potential revival

• Official confirmation: Toyota executives have confirmed that a new Celica is in development, reports MotorBiscuit and CarSauce. 
• Timeline: The new model is anticipated to arrive in 2026 or 2027, according to CarsDirect and YouTube. 
• Performance: The new Celica is expected to be a performance car under Toyota's Gazoo Racing (GR) division, joining models like the GR86, GR Corolla, and GR Supra. 
• Powertrain: Speculation suggests it could feature a combustion engine, potentially a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and could also include hybrid technology, notes Gear Patrol and YouTube. 

Why did they stop making the Toyota Celica?

The Toyota Celica was discontinued due to declining sales, a shrinking sports car market, and Toyota adding other models to its lineup. Sales for the Celica dropped significantly in the early 2000s, making it difficult to justify continuing production. 

• Declining sales: Celica sales fell sharply from over 52,000 in 2000 to under 9,000 in 2004. 
• Shifting market: The sports coupe market as a whole was shrinking, partly due to economic factors in Asia. Other sports cars, like the Honda Prelude and Mazda RX-7, were also discontinued. 
• Lineup changes: Toyota introduced other "youthful" and exciting products that competed for sales, leading to the Celica being overshadowed. 

When did Toyota discontinue a Celica?

The Celica was introduced in 1971 and made it into its seventh generation before it was discontinued in 2005. In its last iteration, the Celica was a small, affordable, and enjoyable sports car. It was one of the automaker's sportier offerings at a time when the industry saw Toyota as being boring.

Is Toyota bringing the Celica back?

Yes, reports and some verbal confirmations indicate that Toyota is bringing back the Celica, possibly for the 2026 or 2027 model year, as part of a new lineup of performance cars. While official details are still scarce, the revival is expected to be a mid-engine, turbocharged sports car with a strong focus on performance.
 
This video discusses the latest update on the new Celica: 58sKirk KreifelsYouTube · Nov 26, 2024
What we know so far:

• Confirmation: Toyota executive vice president Yuki Nakajima has reportedly confirmed that a new Celica is in development, according to MotorTrend and Best Car magazines. 
• Engine: Rumors suggest it will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, potentially producing around 400 horsepower. 
• Drivetrain: Unlike previous models, the new Celica is expected to be a mid-engine vehicle, similar to the MR2, and will have rear-wheel drive with a potential all-wheel-drive option. 
• Transmission: A 6-speed manual transmission is expected to be available. 
• Timing: The car is tentatively slated for a 2026 or 2027 debut, with a potential reveal at a 2027 auto show. 
• Other developments: Akio Toyoda, Toyota's chairman, has expressed his support for reviving sports cars like the Celica and MR2, and a mid-engine GR Yaris has reportedly been used for testing. 

You can watch this video to see a potential design of the new Celica: 1mAuto Om TVYouTube · Sep 23, 2025