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Toyota to Discontinue Importing Celica Sports Coupe by the End of 2005 Model Year

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Toyota Drops Celica but At Least Offers Scion tC as Replacement

Its a sad day for sports car fans in America, as Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. has just announced that its Celica coupe and MR2 roadster will be discontinued by the end of the 2005 model year.

What seems odd at first is Toyotas decision to delete the venerable models from its 2006 lineup. The move makes more sense after a quick study of each cars place in the market, however, being that the Celica at least, is being replaced by the new 2005 Scion tC. The MR2 has never sold well since its roof was chopped off as it is.

Toyotas Canadian division doesnt

Toyota has announced that its Celica coupe and MR2 roadster will be discontinued by the end of the 2005 model year. (Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

Without a 2-seat coupe in the lineup, is Toyota purposefully moving away from attracting younger buyers? (Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

Back to the U.S. market, is this decision to axe Toyotas sports models a sign that the most financially successful automaker in the country is moving away from attracting young buyers? Recent introductions of new youth-oriented models like the Corolla XRS and Matrix XRS would say this is not true, however, all of the Japanese automakers new American

Sadly, sports cars dont seem to fit into Toyotas finely tuned socially conscious image. (Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

At first glance, Toyotas U.S. division seems to be in a stronger position than Toyota Canada when it comes to attracting the youth buyer, solely from its new Scion division. When it comes to the young, theres a justifiable argument that Toyota has become a victim of its own success. Scion was born out of the belief that todays youth

The sporty MR2 roadster is in the exact same situation as the Celica, and will also disappear from showrooms across America. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

But a bold powerful image doesnt suit Toyota, which owes much of its success to attracting conservative buyers looking for well-built, dependable transportation that is also less harmful to the environment. Sports cars dont fit such a socially

It all started back in 1971 when Toyota introduced a compact rear-drive Celica powered by a carbureted 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine to the American market. (Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)

Toyota could, however, choose to offer a hybrid-powered icon similar to the Volta supercar concept that debuted recently in Geneva. With the upcoming Lexus RX 400h the automaker is already teasing enthusiasts with specifications that show its technologically advanced hybrid-electric drivetrain is not only ideal for reducing fuel consumption and emissions over conventional gasoline-only powered vehicles, but that it can also deliver the performance

Despite intense competition, even after four years the current Celica is critically acclaimed as one of the best buys in its sporty compact class. (Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.)