Canada First in Line for Yaris Global Subcompact
Yaris? What's that? You might as well get very familiar with the name now, as you're going to be hearing a lot more about it for a
very long time. While other automakers designate their cars with names of mammals, fowl, or fish, places and even people in an effort to conjure up a positive associative image, Toyota often creates all-new names that mean nothing at first, such as Tercel, Corolla, or Camry, but soon become synonymous with quality and reliability.
The name Yaris has long been associated with such attributes in Europe, where it has represented the subcompact model known here as the Echo Hatchback, and now that Toyota has accepted that the Internet has turned
us all into global shoppers, especially those younger more web savvy buyers who are expected to flock to the new entry-level model, it's chosen to adopt the popular European tag name in North America and other jurisdictions around the world - Japan previously called this car the Vitz.
Along with the new name comes a vehicle that will certainly go a long way in changing perceptions about the subcompact category on the whole, let alone among Toyota faithful. It's built using methods incorporated into Toyota's larger cars, creating a solid little package the offers up a surprisingly comfortable ride, terrific handling, sporty acceleration and commendable high-speed stability.
Yaris? What's that? You might as well get very familiar with the name now, as you're going to be hearing a lot more about it for a
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| Yaris? What's that? You might as well get very familiar with the name now, as you're going to be hearing a lot more about it for a very long time. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
The name Yaris has long been associated with such attributes in Europe, where it has represented the subcompact model known here as the Echo Hatchback, and now that Toyota has accepted that the Internet has turned
 |
| The name Yaris has long been associated with quality and reliability in Europe. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Along with the new name comes a vehicle that will certainly go a long way in changing perceptions about the subcompact category on the whole, let alone among Toyota faithful. It's built using methods incorporated into Toyota's larger cars, creating a solid little package the offers up a surprisingly comfortable ride, terrific handling, sporty acceleration and commendable high-speed stability.