Toyota Tercel
The Toyota Tercel was a subcompact car that was produced by Toyota from 1978 to 1999. It was the first front-wheel drive car produced by Toyota, and it was one of the first subcompact cars to be offered with a four-cylinder engine. The Tercel was known for its fuel efficiency, affordability, and reliability. It was a popular choice for those who wanted a practical and economical car. The Tercel was replaced by the Toyota Echo in 1999.
Toyota Tercel Overview
The Toyota Tercel was a subcompact car introduced by Toyota in the late 1970s and produced through five generations until the early 2000s. It was Toyota’s first front-wheel-drive vehicle and was designed as an affordable and economical option for buyers. The Tercel was introduced in 1978 and marked Toyota’s entrance into the subcompact market in various parts of the world. The Tercel was positioned as an entry-level car in Toyota’s lineup, offering fuel efficiency and affordability.
The first Tercel was a front-wheel-drive car, a departure from Toyota’s traditionally rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It was available as a two or four-door sedan and later as a three-door hatchback. The last generation of the Tercel was more refined and sported a sleeker design. The focus remained on affordability and reliability.
Over the years, the Tercel was equipped with various small-displacement engines, focusing on fuel efficiency. It primarily utilized inline-four engines. Both manual and automatic transmissions were available throughout the Tercel’s life cycle.
he Tercel was generally well-received for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability. It wasn’t necessarily the most exciting car in terms of performance or features, but it served its target market effectively. The Tercel’s production stopped after its fifth generation, and the Toyota Echo (known as the Toyota Yaris in some markets) effectively replaced it in the lineup.
Toyota Tercel Sales Figures
Toyota Tercel US Sales Data & Charts
US Annual Sales
Year | Sales Units |
---|---|
1985 | 88,841 |
1986 | 76,914 |
1987 | 100,590 |
1988 | 104,655 |
1989 | 97,577 |
1990 | 90,808 |
1991 | 102,043 |
1992 | 96,173 |
1993 | 93,820 |
1994 | 88,041 |
1995 | 75,749 |
1996 | 55,965 |
1997 | 31,489 |
1998 | 1,743 |
1999 | 46 |