Toyota Canada to Discontinue Importing Celica Sports Coupe by the End of 2005 Model Year

In the U.S. not only the Celica has be removed from the market, but also the MR2 roadster, not available in Canada since

There is just no room left in the 'sporty' lineup for the Celica now that Toyota has released the Matrix and Corolla XRS, Solara sports coupe and recently the Scion xA, xB and tC. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

the introduction of the latest version to the American market in March of 2000.

"The Celica and MR2 have been a favorite among sports car enthusiasts since their introductions in the U.S.," said Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. "The past few years, however, have been very challenging for both Celica and MR2 as competition in a segment

The MR2 offers top-down sun-filled transportation, but Toyota chose not to market it as a true performance car by only offering it in base 140 horsepower guise. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

where 'what's new' dominates and we continue to add more exciting and youthful products to the lineup such as the Matrix and Corolla XRS, Solara sports coupe and recently the Scion xA, xB and tC."

While it might be a stretch for Esmond to refer to the Solara as a youthful product, he's got a point with the others mentioned, especially the Scion line. The original 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder twin-cam mid-engine MR2 focused on the youth-oriented buyer too when it became available in 1985. A supercharger was added in 1988 but it was the second generation model that stirred the souls of performance enthusiasts. It was sleeker in design while offering more interior room, plus it delivered serious power in 1991 when the top-level turbocharged version became available.