Yaris sales have completely tanked

[jonoe]

They should have left it like it was
got more storage in my 2007 then new car
I also liked the gages in the center

[thebarber]

Im a little late to the discussion, but:

1. Americans don't like hatchbacks
2. The yaris uses the same (essentially) powertrain that was in the echo in 2000MY

[Shinare]

Simple answer: more/actual competition in the subcompact class.

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by thebarber

Im a little late to the discussion, but:

1. Americans don't like hatchbacks
2. The yaris uses the same (essentially) powertrain that was in the echo in 2000MY

id go more with the yaris being a really bland design, boring to drive, and still (imo) having the cheapest and noisiest interior of anything in its class.

Americans are buying plenty of hatchbacks. the Honda fit is selling 4500-5000+ per month and it is in need of an update. the tiny fiat 500 has been selling around 4000 per month and that is with a tiny dealer network (about 130 dealers in the whole country).

the reliability gap between the least reliable cars and most reliable cars has closed dramatically so the yaris being reliable isn't enough.

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by Shinare

Simple answer: more/actual competition in the subcompact class.

pretty much. yes.

15 years ago we had very few quality choices in the subcompact class, especially hatchbacks. now I can go buy a fit, versa, accent, fiesta, yaris, sonic...or if I want to go smaller a 500 or a mini.....and im not going to worry that it will be a rustbucket POS in 5-6 years.

choice is good...for us.

[Flipper_1938]

Originally Posted by roxy1

id go more with the yaris being a really bland design, boring to drive, and still (imo) having the cheapest and noisiest interior of anything in its class.

Americans are buying plenty of hatchbacks. the Honda fit is selling 4500-5000+ per month and it is in need of an update. the tiny fiat 500 has been selling around 4000 per month and that is with a tiny dealer network (about 130 dealers in the whole country).

the reliability gap between the least reliable cars and most reliable cars has closed dramatically so the yaris being reliable isn't enough.

4,000-5,000 per month sales...SUCKS!

That is only like 10 shifts worth of production from a large car factory on the manufacturing end. (3 shifts x 6 days a week x 4 weeks = 72 shifts a month in a busy plant)

On the sales end, that can't be many sales for each dealer in the coutry....hard to pay the mortgage on the dealership with those kind of numbers.

[junorico24]

Originally Posted by roxy1

pretty much. yes.

15 years ago we had very few quality choices in the subcompact class, especially hatchbacks. now I can go buy a fit, versa, accent, fiesta, yaris, sonic...or if I want to go smaller a 500 or a mini.....and im not going to worry that it will be a rustbucket POS in 5-6 years.

choice is good...for us.

THIS...

Kia Rios are selling like hot cakes right now.Ford fiesta is continuing to sell.Mazda 2, not so much.But from what I see.There is a hell a lot of Mazda 3,Toyota Corollas, Ford Focus and SUV everywhere.Mid to large vehicles. Maybe people still view roomier and bigger cars as a better option. And like you said there's always something newer and better every time.

[bronsin]

I would not call a Ford Focus or Fiesta a quality choice!

But I would go look at them!

[Flipper_1938]

Originally Posted by bronsin

I would not call a Ford Focus or Fiesta a quality choice!

But I would go look at them!

By JD Powers definitions they are a "quality" choice.

"Quality" is a word to describe the first 30 days.

"Reliability" is the word to describe the rest of the vehicles life.

The Yaris does not have superior quality, it has superior reliability.

The game playing by marketing/advertising guys is almost criminal in my opinion.

[kuessemir]

I am new to the Yaris scene; however, may I say that I recently rented a 2012 LE and there were a few dissappointing aspects.

Things I liked:
The seat fit my back better
The interior finishing was more pleasing (textures and colors)
Rear seat room and flat floor
Excellant visibility
There was a spare tire

Things that dissappointed me:
The automatic's droning and laziness is a severe letdown. It was sloppy, unrefined, and required inconsistent throttle input
No rear seat light (headliner lamp)
Automatic fuel economy never surpassed an average of 31.7 with mostly highway
Lack of interior storage compartments
Ugly aftermarket look-alike stereo with digits unreadable in sun

Now, I know some of these things are subjective, but I feel these are not huge aspects to address in order to increase Yari level of competitiveness.

Is there a forum that would be more appropriate for this type of evaluation? Do you think any of these aspects may be impacting sales #s? What are your thoughts?

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

4,000-5,000 per month sales...SUCKS!

.

not for models that do not occupy the main production focus...which are the compacts and midsized car. ie corolla/camry, civic/accord, fiesta/fusion. those cars take up a dramatically more production resources. every model cant sell 25,000+ units per month.

American are buying more subcompacts than ever, and much of that is increased choices and amenities in small cars.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by kuessemir

I am new to the Yaris scene; however, may I say that I recently rented a 2012 LE and there were a few dissappointing aspects.

Things I liked:
The seat fit my back better
The interior finishing was more pleasing (textures and colors)
Rear seat room and flat floor
Excellant visibility
There was a spare tire

Things that dissappointed me:
The automatic's droning and laziness is a severe letdown. It was sloppy, unrefined, and required inconsistent throttle input
No rear seat light (headliner lamp)
Automatic fuel economy never surpassed an average of 31.7 with mostly highway
Lack of interior storage compartments
Ugly aftermarket look-alike stereo with digits unreadable in sun

Now, I know some of these things are subjective, but I feel these are not huge aspects to address in order to increase Yari level of competitiveness.

Is there a forum that would be more appropriate for this type of evaluation? Do you think any of these aspects may be impacting sales #s? What are your thoughts?

31.7 mpg with an auto on the hiway definately not impressive. But also highly unusual for this car.

I LOVE the stereo sound in my Yaris but also note the unreadable digits.

I have no problem with my automatic transmission. Perhaps something was wrong with yours?

I put the Yaris tumbling sales down to the fact that the vast percentage of the car buying public are morons!

[Flipper_1938]

Originally Posted by roxy1

not for models that do not occupy the main production focus...which are the compacts and midsized car. ie corolla/camry, civic/accord, fiesta/fusion. those cars take up a dramatically more production resources. every model cant sell 25,000+ units per month.

American are buying more subcompacts than ever, and much of that is increased choices and amenities in small cars.

Actually, smaller cars need more volume to make money since there is not as much profit built into the price of the car. The car still requires the same amount of tooling to manufacture the car (same number of unique stamping dies required to stamp out panels). Flexible weld cells can help spread assembly equipment costs to other vehicles, but nobody is making any money on small cars at these volumes.

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by roxy1

Americans are buying plenty of hatchbacks. the Honda fit is selling 4500-5000+ per month and it is in need of an update.

The Fit isn't a hatchback. It's a mini-minivan.

[kuessemir]

Originally Posted by bronsin

31.7 mpg with an auto on the hiway definately not impressive. But also highly unusual for this car.

I LOVE the stereo sound in my Yaris but also note the unreadable digits.

I have no problem with my automatic transmission. Perhaps something was wrong with yours?

I put the Yaris tumbling sales down to the fact that the vast percentage of the car buying public are morons!

You may be right about there possibly having been a problem with it...I mean it was a rental car afterall. Also, I tend to agree with you about the "morons" part, hehe. Well, I'm glad you're enjoying your car. I dont believe these aspects would put me off from purchasing one, I would still feel mich more confident with my purchase than with, say, a chevy spark.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by junorico24

always something newer and better every time.

Better = In the eye of the beholder.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

By JD Powers definitions they are a "quality" choice.

"Quality" is a word to describe the first 30 days.

"Reliability" is the word to describe the rest of the vehicles life.

The Yaris does not have superior quality, it has superior reliability.

The game playing by marketing/advertising guys is almost criminal in my opinion.

^^^^^ This

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by kuessemir

You may be right about there possibly having been a problem with it...I mean it was a rental car afterall. Also, I tend to agree with you about the "morons" part, hehe. Well, I'm glad you're enjoying your car. I dont believe these aspects would put me off from purchasing one, I would still feel mich more confident with my purchase than with, say, a chevy spark.

Yes a balky transmission would explain the mpg. Although even in a rental it should work!

If my water pump leaks again I swear Im going to Mazda!

Are you listening Toyota?