Toyota discontinuing Celica and MR2

Chalupa · Post by **Chalupa** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:09

Toyota discontinuing Celica and MR2
Two-plus-two sports car and mid-engined two-seater will go away after 2005 model year.

July 19, 2004: 10:17 AM EDT

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The Toyota Celica and MR2 sports cars will no longer be sold after the 2005 model year, Toyota announced Friday.

"The Celica and MR2 have been a favorite amongst sports car enthusiasts since their introductions in the U.S.," said Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

"The past few years, however, have been very challenging for both Celica and MR2 as competition in a segment where 'what's new' dominates and we continue to add more exciting and youthful products to the lineup such as the Matrix and Corolla XRS, Solara sports coupe and recently the Scion xA, xB and tC," he said.

The Celica has been through seven generations and was first sold in the United States in 1971. The name, according to Toyota, is based on the Spanish word for "celestial," which is spelled the same as the English word.

The original, rear-wheel drive 1971 Celica was based on the EX-1 "Cars of the Future" concept vehicle. The Celica, according to the company, "Toyota's version of the Mustang." In 1986, the car was re-engineered and introduced in a new front-wheel-drive design.

The Celica was been named Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" in 1978 and one of Car and Driver's "Ten Best Cars" in 1984. It was called "Most Wanted Sport Couple under $30,000" by the autos Website Edmunds.com in 2001 and 20002. and the "Most Reliable Sporty Car" by Consumer Reports in 2002. It has frequently appeared among that magazine's list of "Best Buys."

Toyota is planning to introduce a new sporty car aimed at a slightly different market segment some time in the next few years, said Toyota spokesman Wade Hoyt.

The MR2, the name means "mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive two seater," was introduced in 1985. It was named Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" in the year it was introduced. A supercharged version of the car was introduced in 1988 and a turbocharged version in 1991. After 1995, the MR2 went out of production until 2000, when the third-generation version was introduced.

*Source: CNN/MONEY

Demonium · Post by **Demonium** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 13:03

argh padahal gua demen bgt tuh ma celica

DigitALL · Post by **DigitALL** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 17:04

Emang sayang banget ... Padahal nama CELICA dan MR2 sudah dipandang sebagai mobil sport yang bergengsi.

dodolaje · Post by **dodolaje** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 14:54

toyota lebi pentingin business yg membuat duit
segment mobil2 sport itu marketnya kecil dan profit marginnya juga kecil lebi mahal ngedesign dan R&D mobil2 sport daripada boil2 biasa

Makannya sampai sekarang org2 pada bilang NSX itu over price but it is the realistic price. kalo satu perusahaan itu mao BREAKEVEN.

Toyota salah karena mereka tidak memperhatikan pasaran di amerika sendiri kalo awal thn 1990an mereka import Celica GT4 yg 4wd dan 2liter turbo (masa jaya2nya toyota di WRC) di tambah marketing dikit mereka pasti bisa menjual banyak celica. liat saja subaru.. WRX mereka menembus pasaran amerika duluan. di ikuti oleh Mistu EVO. Toyota dulu mempunyai advantage tetapi tidak di pakai

MR-S penganti MR-2 sangat lemah sekali dan juga tidak se aggresive generasi sebelumnya yg terkenal dgn lotus killer.. Mid Engine rear wheel drive yg sangat affordable. dari jauh MR-2 keliatan kaya MINI FERRARI