Toyota manufactures the most successful gas and most successful hybrid car in history. The Japanese carmaker makes the Corolla and the Prius, of course. And it makes the perennially popular Camry, Avalon and Highlander.
But Toyota also makes the some vehicles that don’t sell particularly well. And it’s about to discontinue a model and may consider abandoning a few other models.
According a report on WardAuto.com, Toyota, as previously announced, will discontinue its FJ Cruiser in mid-2014.
Through November, FJ Cruiser sales were down 2.6 percent in 2013 to 11,826 units, according to WardsAuto data. The model’s best year was its debut in 2006 when 56,225 FJ Cruisers were sold.
The Toyota Venza and Yaris aren’t scheduled to be discontinued, but sales of both vehicles, with rare exception, have fallen.
The Venza had its best year in 2009 when 54,410 units sold. Through November, 20,741 Venzas have been purchased this year.
The Toyota Yaris, Toyota’s entry level car, has also suffered, with a 27.4 percent loss versus sales in 2012. The Nissan Versa, the leader in the category, sells more than 100,000 units annually.
The Toyota RAV4 EV has also had a disappointing debut, with Toyota selling a meager 62 units in November.
Article Last Updated: April 22, 2014.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
