They All Ain't Winners: Toyota to Replace or Repair Unpopular Models

Detroit January 13, 2005: The AP reported that Toyota spokesman Mike Michels confirmed the plans Thursday but said the company was not ready to offer any more specifics about the two replacements.

Toyota, Japan's No. 1 automaker, sold fewer than 4,000 Echos in 2004, down from 26,167 the year before, according to Autodata Corp. Despite the sharp decline, Toyota's overall U.S. sales rose 10 percent last year.

"The current Echo certainly hasn't met expectations," Michels said. "We need a mainstream, very affordable product below the Corolla."

Hoping to revive demand for its flagship Avalon sedan, whose North American sales were off 28 percent last year, Toyota introduced a redesigned version of the car during the media preview at this week's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Also this year, Toyota will launch hybrid versions of its Toyota Highlander and luxury Lexus RX sport utility vehicles.