Monday, May 20, 2013

French-Made Toyota Yaris Models On Their Way to U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico


French-Made Toyota Yaris models on their way to the U.S, Canada, and Puerto Rico
The latest Yaris was introduced in 2012. New Yaris models will be made in France. Photo by Curtis Reesor
A little less than a year ago we reported that Toyota's Yaris models bound for North America would have a production shift from its factory in Japan to a factory in France. Well, that has officially happened, and French made Yaris models are on their way to dealerships in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

This marks the first time in Toyota's history that it has offered European-made vehicles to the North American market. This was done due to the current Japanese Yen exchange rates that make it difficult to turn a profit on small Japanese-manufactured vehicles.

Of course, the big question will be whether or not there will be a difference in build quality; that will remain to be seen.

FYI, I believe the last French-made car sold in the United States was the 1991 Peugeot 405 and 505. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

EDIT: I was told the Smart ForTwo is made in France.

5 comments:

AdR said...

If the build quality is as that of Fiat... God help us all. LOL!

Steve "SailDesign" Baker said...

I had always thought that the Yaris sedans were French-built. Or were they merely designed in Europe...?

Anonymous said...

Smart ForTwo is made I'm France.

Lutécia said...

And of Course don't forget the Bugattis, even if the numbers are pretty small. But for sure that's a good trivia question at a dinner party : "what's common between a Yaris, a Smart and a Veyron?"

noondayRePLy said...

I have the exact model pictured in this post. A Red 2012 Toyota Yaris SE Hatchback. It is the best car that I have ever owned. I can tell you that my Yaris is built to the legendary Toyota quality that you would expect. Some things i have noticed specifically with my SE is the stiffer sporty suspension and more throaty exhaust note. I love my Yaris and would not trade it for anything.