Poor Sales of Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S Likely To Rule Out New Variants

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Yugimons

So, does this mean they're going to be ceasing production earlier than expected? Or only just not developing variations?

From a purely product planning perspective, this means there's less of an argument from the product manager's chair to vouch for a better engine, upgraded car, etc.

You can justify all the changes in the world, but it won't get approved unless you can prove it will sell.

Us as enthusiasts have a self-serving bias to see a better version of this car. The manufacturer doesn't take the same view, because this is just one of many cars in their lineup. It has to fit into their overall vision and brand.

-alex

[pheoxs]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Imagine Toyota discontinues our car.... that would be nice haha Increase in resale value

And kill aftermarket support. We've had so much development so quickly because everyone wants to jump on the wagon and ride out people tuning these cars.

If it dies after just a couple years we won't get much more for development as most of the big players will shift to this car's competitors that are due out in the near future.

Thankfully that also means in 2-3 years we should be able to check out SEMA without being surrounded by rocket bunnies everywhere

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by FRSure

Also harder to find parts support.

No worries for any P/N on the US cars. Years ago Toyota pledged to provide parts support for any vehicle sold here for at least 25 years. The result is the best "fill rate" and delivery speed of any manufacturer. Today, you can walk into any dealership and find parts for an FJ-40 last sold here in 1983 and if your FJ is out of service, the dealer can order the part "critical" status and get it overnight if the order is placed early in the day.

The only glitch I can foresee is Subaru made parts. I'm not sure about their fill rate or delivery speed.

[airjonny]

Another excuse from Toyota/Subaru (Albeit a decent one this time). The reason people are holding out on this car is because they are waiting for Toyota and/or Subaru to step up the power. Instead they've been giving us crap like....

-"Turbo doesn't fit" (MAKE IT FIT)
-"Car was meant for handling, feel etc.."
-"The tuners can make the car faster."
-"It'll cost too much"
-"It'll cannibalize STI sales" (BRZ is stepping on the WRX's toes on price)

Besides the Miata community, I have never seen a niche as well as a company advocate so hard for mediocre performance.

[tbertran]

Any idea what that means for Subaru in the US?

[strat61caster]

Anybody who thought this would follow a different trend from any other Japanese sports car built in the last fifteen years is delusional.

i.e. S2000, Miata, RX8

[Tt3Sheppard]

Interesting to see what will happen in the next couple of years. Thankfully there is still a lot of aftermarket support for this car.

[Havsie]

All of the people who wanted one already bought one. That's just how it works for cars like this. It will finish its run and then it will be something for the history books.

[FRSupra]

Originally Posted by torqdork

No worries for any P/N on the US cars. Years ago Toyota pledged to provide parts support for any vehicle sold here for at least 25 years. The result is the best "fill rate" and delivery speed of any manufacturer. Today, you can walk into any dealership and find parts for an FJ-40 last sold here in 1983 and if your FJ is out of service, the dealer can order the part "critical" status and get it overnight if the order is placed early in the day.

The only glitch I can foresee is Subaru made parts. I'm not sure about their fill rate or delivery speed.

2:30 - 3:00 PM to be exact on the East Coast.

The OP post might be controversal. Just today, about two hours ago our Toyota rep was at work here and he stated the inside talk said Toyota has a green light on the convertible production and it will be on the late 2015 early 16 models. While I hate to bring any light to this subject, as I think the idea is down right stupid, I wanted to share.

Talk is cheap but you know....

[Yugimons]

Originally Posted by Havsie

All of the people who wanted one already bought one. That's just how it works for cars like this. It will finish its run and then it will be something for the history books.

Not quite all of us...

[Target70]

strat61caster: Anybody who thought this would follow a different trend from any other Japanese sports car built in the last fifteen years is delusional.

...i.e. S2000, Miata, RX8

It could have been. miata/s2000 has no rear seats. rx8 has horrible gas milage, which limits market share. What about wrx, lancer, and skyline. True they didn't originate in the last 15 years, but they have had quite a few update versions even into the last 15 years.

[Prog]

I guess the crickets scared everyone off.

Anyway, I already got mine, was never going to buy the same car with more HP anyway, so this doesn't really affect me. I love the twins, but if I wanted a sports car with awesome handling that's pretty lightweight, and also had high horsepower, I'd be looking elsewhere. I'm still personally drooling over the new C7s. Can't wait to see the numbers on the Z06.

[cycleboy]

I think if there were direct competitors coming soon, there could be a desire to keep pace from a business perspective. If you have to fight to get someone to buy an FR-S instead of a 250SX or RX-9 (I made these up), there's a reason to make it more appealing.

In the current market, there's not anything else like the FR-S out there, so people either buy this car or they don't. Not much business incentive to change it.

[DarkSunrise]

Eh it doesn't matter to me. I've already bought one and am enjoying it. If they discountinue the car at this point, that's fine.

The only people this really affects are people who were holding out for whatever reason.

I'm just glad Toyota/Subaru had the balls to make the car in the first place, short-lived though it might be.