2013 Vios - Let's hope Toyota brings it to N. America

[why?]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

Yeah, I have no clue what Toyota is thinking. 4-spd gear boxes are not good for performance or fuel efficiency, imo.

Originally Posted by Lippitt

They surely know what's what, but they still don't bother putting at least a 5-spd in? Any idea's why, it looks like they just don't care?

It is cheaper to use old tech. Toyota earns very little selling these vehicles in the US. Almost no one would buy a $20k Yaris in the US, yet they can get that with all sorts of options overseas, because gas mileage is more important over there.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by why?

It is cheaper to use old tech. Toyota earns very little selling these vehicles in the US. Almost no one would buy a $20k Yaris in the US, yet they can get that with all sorts of options overseas, because gas mileage is more important over there.

Toyota is going to need to move production of the Yaris outside of Japan, at least for those sold in the west. There's too much cost cutting needed now just to offer the Yaris in the US. Building them in Mexico probably makes the most sense. Of course, that all depends on which existing plant could facilitate that. If they are going to invest billions in a new plant, that plant will have to build a lot more than just Yaris's.