TOYOTA COMMITS TO BUILDING A NEW A-SEGMENT MODEL FOR EUROPE​

3 March 2021

Toyota today announces its continued commitment to Europe’s A-segment (city cars), confirming it will produce a third model on its GA-B vehicle platform.

The new car will continue the role of previous A-segment models as an entry point to the Toyota brand and maintain the key quality of being accessible to customers.

The Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) philosophy for the development of new vehicle platforms has delivered recognised improvements in the ride, handling, safety and styling of a succession of new models. The all-new Yaris, for example, recent winner of the 2021 European Car of the Year award, is constructed on the GA-B platform and has been very well received by customers for its design, packaging, efficient and responsive hybrid electric powertrain, driving dynamics and class-leading safety.

The next model to use the small car platform will be the Yaris Cross SUV, scheduled for launch later in 2021. Yaris Cross and the new A-segment model are expected to increase European production of GA-B based vehicles to more than 500,000 units a year. Achieving this volume will help deliver the economy of scale required to ensure that the new A-segment model is an accessible proposition for customers.

The choice of powertrain is equally important. The A-segment remains dominated by models powered by internal combustion engines, further emphasising how cost remains a key consideration. The market outlook sees this situation continuing, with financial accessibility remaining a dominant consideration for customers.