US Yaris to be imported from France ?

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by mrpj

I had a French built Mk2 Yaris and although reasonably well put together, many of the parts were EU made and sourced. To be brutally honest the quality of these components left a lot to be desired. Particularly the plastics used for the interior - absolutely cheap and nasty. Their fit and finish was poor too which meant driving a car with the radio volume high to overcome the numerous creaks and rattles resulting from the poor fit.
I have examined the Mk 3 and not driven one but the interior components in that were, in my opinion, still cheap quality and poorly put together. Although it is still a Toyota and alleged better quality control, the French cannot assemble a car very well at all.
So I do sympathise if French Yaris are imported to N. America!

The interior components have never been the strong point of any Yaris regardless of it's production location or final destination. That tends to be the product of it's "entry level" status and price point....and the '12 N. American version is no exception. That said...whatever quality/tolerance targets Toyota has set for the N.A. Yaris will be dublicated for the French produced N.A. bound version....rest assured.

[mrpj]

Originally Posted by Billiam

The interior components have never been the strong point of any Yaris regardless of it's production location or final destination. That tends to be the product of it's "entry level" status and price point....and the '12 N. American version is no exception. That said...whatever quality/tolerance targets Toyota has set for the N.A. Yaris will be dublicated for the French produced N.A. bound version....rest assured.

In the U.K. - remember we call it "treasure island" or "rip off Britain"- the Yaris is not a "cheap" car. It's nearly always the case that we pay in Pounds Sterling the same as you pay in $U.S. So for the premium prices we pay it can't be too much to ask for good quality components.
I still have the opinion - hopefully that's allowed? - a French built Yaris will not be as good as those built elsewhere.
I was in a local Toyota dealership a few months ago, looking at the Verso S (a grown up Yaris!), built in Japan. I compared it to a MkIII Yaris in the same showroom. It was far superior in both component fit and quality. I commented about this to the saleswoman and she agreed (off the record) that the Japanese built cars are far superior to those built elsewhere.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by mrpj

In the U.K. - remember we call it "treasure island" or "rip off Britain"- the Yaris is not a "cheap" car. It's nearly always the case that we pay in Pounds Sterling the same as you pay in $U.S. So for the premium prices we pay it can't be too much to ask for good quality components.
I still have the opinion - hopefully that's allowed? - a French built Yaris will not be as good as those built elsewhere.
I was in a local Toyota dealership a few months ago, looking at the Verso S (a grown up Yaris!), built in Japan. I compared it to a MkIII Yaris in the same showroom. It was far superior in both component fit and quality. I commented about this to the saleswoman and she agreed (off the record) that the Japanese built cars are far superior to those built elsewhere.

+ I might (given the strong Yen) be willing to pay more for a Japanese made Yaris, but I realize that competitiveness within its market segment is likely the primary issue in the 'where to build for which market' scenario.

[Kioshi]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

+ I might (given the strong Yen) be willing to pay more for a Japanese made Yaris,

THIS ^

I honestly wouldn't cut corners when it comes to quality. Being an asian myself, I dont cheap out like the rest of the Asian people here in California, who want more bang for their buck and expect GREAT quality....

I'd fork out more money for purchase that would last me many years, is durable, and reliable. <---this applies to any items, not just automobiles.

I see the the majority of the world scumming to having lower quality things. More profit for them...

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Billiam

The interior components have never been the strong point of any Yaris regardless of it's production location or final destination. That tends to be the product of it's "entry level" status and price point....and the '12 N. American version is no exception. That said...whatever quality/tolerance targets Toyota has set for the N.A. Yaris will be dublicated for the French produced N.A. bound version....rest assured.

I cringe when I hear someone mention 'creaks and rattles' re a car. I have yet to experience any with my Yaris, nor with any car I have ever owned that was built in Japan. I know 'creaks and rattles' when I hear them. All of the cars on my street are quiet and sound well built except one, a Chrysler Sebring. My neighbor across the street owns this offender. I can hear the creaks in that car every time he drives down the street when I'm home (once per day at least).He,of course, gets out of the car after parking it and those creaks are even worse than the previous ones. That car is a true POS. His wife has a rather quiet Civic sedan. They are the only neighbors I ever hear arguing. I know I'd be upset if I had to drive that POS Sebring.
Sorry Billiam, mrpj's experience may be anecdotal, but it is first hand and delivered in a measured and thoughtful tone. I'm pretty skeptical, but I'd take mrpj's experience over assurances from Toyota until those assurances have been proven to be correct over time in those new circumstances.

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

I cringe when I hear someone mention 'creaks and rattles' re a car. I have yet to experience any with my Yaris, nor with any car I have ever owned that was built in Japan. I know 'creaks and rattles' when I hear them. All of the cars on my street are quiet and sound well built except one, a Chrysler Sebring. My neighbor across the street owns this offender. I can hear the creaks in that car every time he drives down the street when I'm home (once per day at least).He,of course, gets out of the car after parking it and those creaks are even worse than the previous ones. That car is a true POS. His wife has a rather quiet Civic sedan. They are the only neighbors I ever hear arguing. I know I'd be upset if I had to drive that POS Sebring.
Sorry Billiam, mrpj's experience may be anecdotal, but it is first hand and delivered in a measured and thoughtful tone. I'm pretty skeptical, but I'd take mrpj's experience over assurances from Toyota until those assurances have been proven to be correct over time in those new circumstances.

You would be surprised at how many creaks and rattles are a result of poor design and/or engineering. For the most part interior components only fit together one way. There is almost no adjustment with these pieces.

Your Yaris is creak-free because it was engineerined well with parts that fit together as they were designed too. Not how it was assemebled.

[CrankyOldMan]

Originally Posted by Billiam

You would be surprised at how many creaks and rattles are a result of poor design and/or engineering. For the most part interior components only fit together one way. There is almost no adjustment with these pieces.

Your Yaris is creak-free because it was engineering well with parts that fit together as they were designed too. Not how it was assemebled.

^This. I work for an automotive supplier and we spend tens (hundreds?) of thousands of dollars on "creaks and rattles" issues before a part ever hits production. Assembly is rarely to blame: it's either poorly designed or was made from materials that are prone to squeak.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Billiam

You would be surprised at how many creaks and rattles are a result of poor design and/or engineering. For the most part interior components only fit together one way. There is almost no adjustment with these pieces.

Your Yaris is creak-free because it was engineering well with parts that fit together as they were designed too. Not how it was assemebled.

I am, as others have stated they are, open to a French built Yaris proving itself to be the equal of the current U.S. spec Yaris over time. I just don't think that will happen. I think it will prove to be inferior. I hope I am wrong.

[DebbyM46227]

I'd rather have a Japanese-made Yaris. Most Europeans don't have a good work ethic. They want 20 hour work weeks and time off in the middle of the day to drink wine.

[Volcano]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

I'd rather have a Japanese-made Yaris. Most Europeans don't have a good work ethic. They want 20 hour work weeks and time off in the middle of the day to drink wine.

Excuse me ???

[why?]

Originally Posted by Volcano

Excuse me ???

he's mistaking europeans with french people. We know Germans are hard working people, we'd just wish you would stop bailing out all of europe and let the eurozone fail like it should. Then when everyone else is dirt poor, Germany can take over by simply buying everything.

[DebbyM46227]

Originally Posted by why?

he's mistaking europeans with french people. We know Germans are hard working people, we'd just wish you would stop bailing out all of europe and let the eurozone fail like it should. Then when everyone else is dirt poor, Germany can take over by simply buying everything.

Actually I'm not a HE. Sorry, I didn't mean to lump the German people in with the others. I had a German-made car a long time ago and it was a good car. Basically, I'm talking about the French, and maybe the people from Greece and some of the other countries too. But not the Germans.

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

I'd rather have a Japanese-made Yaris. Most Europeans don't have a good work ethic. They want 20 hour work weeks and time off in the middle of the day to drink wine.

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

Actually I'm not a HE. Sorry, I didn't mean to lump the German people in with the others. I had a German-made car a long time ago and it was a good car. Basically, I'm talking about the French, and maybe the people from Greece and some of the other countries too. But not the Germans.

I didn't know it was stereotype reinforcement day today...

[eTiMaGo]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

I'd rather have a Japanese-made Yaris. Most Europeans don't have a good work ethic. They want 20 hour work weeks and time off in the middle of the day to drink wine.

quote of the day :D

[brianeno]

Very oddball move IMO. What do you think about this? I couldn't copy and paste the article, but here check out the exact details.. Would love to hear opinions on this :)

http://www.web2carz.com/autos/news/1...tion-to-france

[why?]

Originally Posted by brianeno

Very oddball move IMO. What do you think about this? I couldn't copy and paste the article, but here check out the exact details.. Would love to hear opinions on this :)

http://www.web2carz.com/autos/news/1...tion-to-france

It is exactly what the article stated. The Yen is staying at its same strength while the rest of the worlds currencies are dropping, meaning that it costs Japanese makers more to make the cars in Japan compared to Europe or the US.

The one effect I would like to see is all the European options that they don't give the US might be allowed. I don't think it will happen though. Or the other engines.

The price of the 2012 Yaris is completely because of the weakening of the US dollar. I have no doubt they would like to have a stripper model costing $9,999.

[Yaristeve]

Misleading thread title; I had thought all US-bound Yaris' were made in Japan and so the title had me do a double take. Actually, Toyota is moving production of US-bound Yaris' from Japan to France. I wonder if they are going to have a dual-manufacturing plan like Honda did with the Accord and Toyota did with the Camry (for a while); East coast customers get France-built Yaris while west coast customers get Japan built Yaris'. Anyway, it's moot to me; I already have mine (2011) and I am never giving it up...

[Sparcoboy]

IMHO you're all just being stereothypical and racist, like saying all americans are fat people who have no interest in the cars they put together. I drive a french Yaris (like all diesel Yaris) and there's nothing wrong with it. The only thing I read hear is "I heard this" an "I heard that"
Some people just don't base their judgements on facts.