Those of you who will be going to Europe or the United-States over the next few months are sure to notice the Toyota MR-2, an agile roadster with a silhouette similar to the Porsche Boxster. While drivers on both sides of the Atlantic are singing the praises of this diminutive central-engine sports car, Canadians won't be able enjoy this economic sports car since it won't be sold in Canada, a fact Toyota Canada recently confirmed after weeks of debate.
They claim the potential market is too small to make the automobile profitable, although the costs required to introduce this model no doubt entered into that decision. Toyota sells this automobile at a low price for a central-engine roadster, and its low distribution would have forced the manufacturer to spread the introduction costs over a number of units too small to make the venture profitable.
They would have had to increase its price, rendering the MR-2 non-competitive. There are also those who are whispering that Toyota Canada doesn't want another commercial flop after bombing with the Supra and second generation MR-2, and that Toyota is displeased that the Mazda Miata continues to be more popular. Whatever Toyota's reasons, the result is the same: Canadian drivers have been deprived of the MR-2.