Tuesday 27th July 2004

End of the Line for MR2 and Celica?

Models binned in the USA

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Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., has announced its plans to discontinue sales of the Celica and MR2 sports cars by the end of the 2005 model year.

"The Celica and MR2 have been a favorite amongst sports car enthusiasts since their introductions in the U.S.," said Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. "The past few years, however, have been very challenging for both Celica and MR2 as competition in a segment where 'what's new' dominates and we continue to add more exciting and youthful products to the lineup such as the Matrix and Corolla XRS, Solara sports coupe and recently the Scion xA, xB and tC."

Currently in its seventh generation, the Celica was first introduced in the U.S. in 1971. Toyota introduced the popular mid-engine, rear-wheel drive two-seater MR2 in 1985.

The current MR2 Spyder is the first U.S.-market Toyota to offer a true clutchless, six-speed sequential manual transmission.

[goo-goo-gjoob]

but now all the high school kids will have to find some other car to dream about

and where do they come up with these names?

[DustyC]

Its a shame if toyota stop the Celica and MR2.
They are both excellent budget sportscars.

I was hopping the next generation of Celica would follow current trend and go back to RWD.

Come on Toyota. Do it!

[Mr E]

Only in the US.

Toyota UK certainly has no plans to pull either car, as far as I know.

[daveh]

Probably couldn't make either of them any uglier, especially the celica (sillycar), so they just stop making them.

[Mr E]

daveh said:

Probably couldn't make either of them any uglier, especially the celica (sillycar), so they just stop making them.

Harsh, but as an owner of an older one I have to agree.

[DustyC]

When I worked for toyota (2 years ago) talk was going around about a new Supra.
There were also some concept drawings in the media
(which is probably where the Toyota bods i worked with got the knowledge!)

[elite.cs204]

Thats why they are bringing in a celica cabrolet,i own a fully kitted beauty and my daughter the mr2 the misses has a tt and people shout out even now about the car and its all good so ugly aint on the menu just haters ha ha

[_Batty_]

elite.cs204 said:

Thats why they are bringing in a celica cabrolet,i own a fully kitted beauty and my daughter the mr2 the misses has a tt and people shout out even now about the car and its all good so ugly aint on the menu just haters ha ha

drunk?
drugged?
12?
either way thats possibly the most random post i've ever read.

[Stu R]

elite.cs204 said:

Thats why they are bringing in a celica cabrolet,i own a fully kitted beauty and my daughter the mr2 the misses has a tt and people shout out even now about the car and its all good so ugly aint on the menu just haters ha ha

welcome to 2004...