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| © Motor Trend Staff 2017 Toyota 86 860 front three quarter in motion 03 |
From Motor Trend
From the Camry to the RAV4 and even the Tacoma, Toyota has been a sales juggernaut over the last couple of years. But as demand begins to flatline, the Japanese automaker is considering making a few changes. According to Automotive News, that may even include killing off certain models.
Unlike Ford, Toyota reportedly has no plans to eliminate its sedan lineup in the U.S. It is, however, seriously considering getting rid of less popular vehicles such as coupes and convertibles.
"We are taking a hard look at all of the segments that we compete in to make sure we are competing in profitable segments and that products we sell have strategic value," said Jim Lentz, Toyota's North America CEO, in an interview with Automotive News.
Lentz didn't say which models may be on the chopping block in the U.S., but the 86 seems like an obvious target. Sales are down nearly 40 percent for the year, and while it's outsold the Nissan 370Z by about 500 units, Mazda's sold more than twice as many Miatas. We also wouldn't be surprised to see the Yaris hatch go, either. Adding the Mazda-based Yaris iA to the lineup helped boost sales last year, but currently, year-to-date sales are down about 38 percent.
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