What I don't like about my new Yaris

[Astroman]

I actually like how the hatch locking works. My biggest problem with the Yaris is how Toyota America gave us such crappy options compared to the rest of the world.

[RedRide]

Originally Posted by Astroman

I actually like how the hatch locking works. My biggest problem with the Yaris is how Toyota America gave us such crappy options compared to the rest of the world.

This has been Toyotas practice for years with most of their cars.
They eliminate many of the features that are standard on the JDM cars when they export them to certain countries simply to increase their profits.

As long as people contiue to purchase their 'stripped down" versions of their cars, they will continue this practice.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by RedRide

This has been Toyotas practice for years with most of their cars.
They eliminate many of the features that are standard on the JDM cars when they export them to certain countries simply to increase their profits.

As long as people contiue to purchase their 'stripped down" versions of their cars, they will continue this practice.

Actually, I think it's just the opposite. They advertise their cars at the stripped down price range, but then don't manufacture enough of them to meet US demand. Why not meet that demand? Because there is far less profit margin in the 9,500 version car vs. the 13,500 car.

When you think about it, the same car is made in Japan with all of these options included in the base model. Then you have to consider that probably 95% (if not more) of all Yarii sold in the US have the "convenience" package. So they actually have to make a special run just to manufacture these so-called base models, carry extra inventory (think about the back seats), etc.

So you're Toyota, and you're probably coming closer to breaking even on the cost savings vs. inventory and overhead (shipping, etc) to manufacture these cut down models on a car far less profit margin. Why would you do that? I think it's all marketing.

If enough people pursued base model vehicles to the point that they started taking their business to a competitor willing to meet the demand for those base models, then they may change their strategy. But until then, you'll continue to have to negotiate harder on the mark up they throw on the convenience package or walk away.

Hope that helps to explain.

EDIT:

Oh yeah, if this is a wish list thread ... I wish the manuals came with a 6 speed with a much lower 6th gear, like .6. Actually I really do like the way the hatch works, I just wish you could lock all or unlock all on the hatch lock the same way it works on the doors.