On 9/5/05, Daniel P. B. Smith dpbsmith@verizon.net wrote:
Back in June, I complained that a little particle of misinformation from Wikipedia had gotten lodged in my brain, and might potentially have affected my car-purchasing decision. Specifically, I was referring to an article that characterized the Toyota Echo, as a "flop" in the U.S. whose sales had tanked in 2004 and was due to be discontinued--despite continuing success in many other countries, including Canada.
I challenged this, and Michael Turley responded that "The Echo is a failure, and is being discontinued." He referenced http:// www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0501/14/B02-58761.htmhttp://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0501/14/B02-58761.htmwhich indeed says "Toyota to pull compact Echo from lineup in '06"
Yet I just got my October 2005 copy of Consumer Reports, and right there on page 14 the Toyota Echo is billed among the "New and Notable: Cars to Watch in 2006-2007." They say "It should continue as a fuel-efficient small car... Small cars often grow with redesigns so you may see a longer, wider Echo and possibly a hatchback version."
So, just what's going on? I'm not really complaining about Wikipedia here, since what it says is backed up by "The Detroit News Auto Insider," but if the Echo is being replaced by an improved Echo-- that's not exactly my idea of a "flop" that's been "discontinued."
By that measure, every refreshing of a car model line could be described as a "flop."
It now looks like we have sources who disagree.
AutoWeek 8/22/05: (http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102996)
*"Echo:* This underachieving subcompact sedan gets replaced by the European-market Yaris this fall. The Echo name will be retired, but it is not known what name will be used. A sedan and a five-door hatchback will be offered. This 2006 vehicle likely will be powered by a 1.5-liter engine developing about 110 hp."
I don't know who is right, but AutoWeek is usually a very reliable source of upcoming model changes in my experience.