The Current Yaris Will Stay With Us...

[sparkyauris]

For those of you who just cant take the new yaris that's coming approx September 2011, good news!

toyota are continuing sales of the current yaris, in 5 door 1.33 form, as a budget option under the daihatsu brand! take a look at this link:

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/25/daihatsu-plays-charade-with-toyota-yaris/

it is expected to go on sale in may :)

[FROSTYBALLS]

The original Yaris was actually a Daihatsue design. Makes quite a lot of sense as it keeps Daihatsu in Europe using a European built car - the exchange rate with the Yen made it uneconomic to import Japanese made Daihatsus. Also provides Toyota with a 'budget' brand like GM with Chevrolet and VW with Skoda.

[Red diesel]

The original Yaris was actually a Daihatsue design. Makes quite a lot of sense as it keeps Daihatsu in Europe using a European built car - the exchange rate with the Yen made it uneconomic to import Japanese made Daihatsus. Also provides Toyota with a 'budget' brand like GM with Chevrolet and VW with Skoda.

Are Daihatsu now going staying in Europe though - the article mentions the decision announced earlier in the year that Daihatsu were

pulling out of Europe but makes no mention of a change of heart. This idea of using older designs just phased out as Toyotas is a potentially

excellent idea for Daihatsu. You could sell the Mk 2 Avensis as a new Applause (remember them - they looked like a saloon but were actually a

hatchback). The 03 to 09 Landcruiser could become a Fourtrack - i think it could work well because the motoring press have taken quite well

to the Seat Exeo which is basically the old 01 to 07/08 Audi A4. The Mk 2 Avensis and the last model Landcruiser were superior cars to an A4

so at the right prices they could be competitive as Daihatsus.

Red diesel

[FROSTYBALLS]

From what I've heard about the Geneva motor show, the Daihatsu stand was deserted for most of the time. I think now that the re-badging of the current Yaris as a Charade will just give Daihatsu dealerships something to sell for the remaining two years. As to whether the Charade is built in France or Thailand is another question. However, either option will avoid the unfavourable currency exchange rate that has made Daihatsu withdraw from Europe.

The situation in Asia is totally different for Daihatsu - with them announcing (Feb 2011) an expansion in Indonesia by building a new plant to produce 100,000 vehicles.per year to make a new small car for Toyota for the South East Asia market. Toyota and Daihatsu share 53% of the Indonesian market. They have also talked about moving their research and development centre to Indonesia.

The Daihatsu plant in Thailand also has a capacity of 280,000 cars per year - increased this year from 250,000 - and also builds cars for Toyota.