Are Toyota still selling cars in the UK?

[Pints]

I just don't seem to see new Toyotas on the road anymore. I was in a new Avenis a couple of weeks ago (nice enough car) but almost every Toyota I see are 2005 models or older.

Or are they just so dull I've noticed them?

Anybody else noticed this, or are there other marques you've noticed on the decline?

[Thom987]

Toyotas are duller than ditch water, even the once popular Landcruiser seems to be in decline here in Ireland. The new Avensis is even duller than the model it replaced. The Auris probably more anonymous than the Corolla. I certainly wouldnt buy one.
A friend of mine who is a life long Toyota driver is now driving an Audi, that says it all.

[Shaw Tarse]

This looks ok http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/carreviews/892...

[ewenm]

The little cars seem to be selling ok (iQ, Yaris, Auris) but bigger cars are a rare sight.

[YorkshirePudding]

I followed a new Yaris yesterday.

[Pints]

ewenm said:

The little cars seem to be selling ok (iQ, Yaris, Auris) but bigger cars are a rare sight.

A fair comment actually. I've probably seen one or two IQs about, but even the Auris and Yaris are not as common as they were 5 or so years ago.

[V88Dicky]

It may depend on where you are in the country. Up here in the North East (of England) the Avensis seems popular. There's several other MK1s on the road where I live, as well as my snotter, a MK11, and two MK111s (one saloon, and one estate). The Auris seems popular, as is the 'ickle Yaris (my neighbour opposite has a 1.5 T-Sport).

The only Japanese cars that seem more popular here, are the locally built Jokes Pukes Jukes and Qashquai.

[trickywoo]

Pints said:

I just don't seem to see new Toyotas on the road anymore.

You are blind HTH

Seriously though there are so may Aygos (for one) out there its unreal.

[sinizter]

They sell something that resembles cars - but not one interesting model with any real power.

[LouD86]

Its because they are dull looking cars, they dont stand out!! Youll notice every GT-86 when they are on the roads! I sit here, in my pod, looking at a showroom of Toyota's daily!! Hmm, a Purple Urban Cruiser, and Blue Auris in my current view, dull dull dull

[Pints]

You're right, I'd probably notice them if they still made MR2s, Celicas, etc.

[PumpkinSteve]

My nearest dealership is a Toyota garage and I see loads of new Toyotas in my local area, I guess people buy whatever is closest. I bought a couple from them too.

[Bohemianesque]

Psychologically it's called 'confirmation bias' - you fit the data you see to your own model of the world.

The data shows they have had taken a hit over the last year or two, but are still solidly selling cars in the UK and world wide. The Japan disaster and their recall included, I'd still bet on them being a top survivor in the next three to four decades. Yes, they produce functional cars (you could say boring), but that's what is selling, particularly in the emerging markets. Also with their 'Lean' approach to production and process efficiency they are well placed to be profitable - it's not just about sales.

http://www.toyotauk.com/main/download/pdf/2011%20T...

I hope they do make more cars like the GT86....and no I don't own a Toyota, and never have.

Edited by Bohemianesque on Tuesday 3rd January 14:10

[cptsideways]

You need to look for washing machines not cars!

[Fittster]

Figures say "Yes they are".

http://www.am-online.com/new-car-sales-figures/

As for Lotus, time to say goodbye.

[carlove]

New Priuses are everywhere! So are Avensises.

[Bohemianesque]

Fittster said:

Figures say "Yes they are".

http://www.am-online.com/new-car-sales-figures/

As for Lotus, time to say goodbye.

This.

Plus if you look at world wide sales they will maintain their position, if not grow.

There's an interesting article in Evo about Lotus and their plans. IMHO, Danny Bahar is taking one big risk. I'd also be interested to see how Ron's plans pan out for McLaren over the next couple of years. Risky!

[johnpeat]

A huge factor in this is which dealers you have locally and how good they are...

As dealers concentrate themselves onto 'autoparcs' and the like, the concentration of a particular make tends to wash-out - but once-upon-a-time the only local dealers here were Vauxhall, Ford and Peugeot and so that's all you ever saw!

I'm convinced people buy cars like their neighbours too - watch one person buy a flashy new X and the street slowly fills-up with cars of the same brand (there's a street near here with 3 Orange Focus ST's in it, for example!)

The other factor is the 'dull' factor and Toyota are king-of-the-hill for this - they have zero aspirational models and so you just pass them by...

[Fittster]

johnpeat said:

The other factor is the 'dull' factor and Toyota are king-of-the-hill for this - they have zero aspirational models and so you just pass them by...

Guess that's what Lexus is for. Toyota have realised that they can't sell prestige metal, something a few French marques appear to be rather slow to grasp.

[sjg]

Plenty of Prius, Auris (mainly HSDs), iQs about in London for obvious reasons. Likewise quite a few Aygos and Yaris too for people who just need a small car on a budget.

Avensis, Urban Cruiser and (recent-plate) Rav4/Land Cruiser are rare beasts though.