why did they discontinue echo?

[mort27]

anyone know if it will come back to the u.s.a?

[RningOnFumes]

i'm thinking to introduce the yaris

[mort27]

echo is better though and they already have the matrix that is similar to yaris

[Why?]

Echo was an ugly car that did not sell. The Yaris is a much better looking car. Plus it will be available in a 3 door hatch.

The Yaris is not similar to the Matrix. Not even close. The Yaris is similar to the Scion xA, which is built on the last generation Echo/Yaris/Vitz platform.

The new Yaris will be a better car in every way.

[mort27]

^ ooo sorry i didnt know that they have sedan for yaris

[mickeyd]

The Echo was Toyota's first attempt of trying to attract the youth market, an inexpensive, dependable car for the college student. as it turned out, the average age for the Echo buyer was 43. Not what toyota wanted to see. And in recent year sales have declined. The Yaris is Echo's replacement, and from what i see, a damed fine one.

[Why?]

Um, not to be too argumentative, but Toyota has sold small cars in the US for a VERY long time. The Echo was be no means the first.

Tercel's were sold in the US since the early 80's, and they were very good small cars.

[mickeyd]

Yes, that is true, but Toyota has an older buyer age average, about 47, and they thought that the Echo ( I dont know what they were thinking ) would lure youger buyers to the dealer.

[mort27]

toyotas buyer age isnt going to go much lower with yaris because now toyota discontinued the MR2, which i assume younger people buy that mostly. the only thing that might help younger people buy the yaris is its price and size.

[Tideland Prius]

It's the same car, just a different name.

[mickeyd]

I think the Yaris is lot more sporty looking than the Echo ever could be. If I was 18 again and seen pics of the Echo in car mag, I wouldnt be like "oh, I gotta get one of these", it's a car for suburban married people with 2.3 kids.

[mort27]

It's the same car, just a different name.

just execpt for the fact that the interior and body is completly different and has hatchback

[mickeyd]

Its the celica that attracted young men & women ( 20's-30's). the only ones i seen driving the mr2 Spyders were 40 plus year old men going through mid-life crisis.

[devinci]

The Echo wasnt discontinued, it's been improved!

[artnet]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

It's the same car, just a different name.

That is completely untrue! My fiancee is 6'7", and I am 5'1," and it took us a lot of research to find a car that fit both of our statures and our budget. When the salesman tried to push the Yaris on us, Arty could not even get in it.

As to the Echo being ugly, at least it doesn't look like a wind-up car or a box on wheels. It has some personality. What is so "ugly" about a rounded car anyways? I think it looks a little like a Beetle. Beauty is subjective and quite unimportant next to safety, reliability, and cost issues.

Not selling? Where are you from? The darn things are so popular here that the price is getting somewhat out of hand for even the 2000 models.