Nips and tucks to the Toyota Yaris will help this snappy urban runabout get back in the groove.
Refreshed exterior and interior styling. Upgraded safety. New 1.5-litre engine. More power. Improved fuel efficiency. This about sums up the revised and improved Toyota Yaris, the compact urban hatchback now badged as the Yaris Pulse.
Securing sales in an under-pressure and highly competitive new-car market is somewhat more of a challenge for car manufacturers than might have been the case in the past. So enhancements that appeal to the many ambitious and style-conscious customers who are now also resolutely focused on value-for-money offerings, are even more important when economic conditions are trying.
Brand power and a reputation of reliability have given Toyota a head start in securing those sales, allowing the Japanese car manufacturer to continually secure the country’s top spot for new vehicle sales.
But the market segment that the Toyota Yaris falls into is a pretty cluttered one, comprised of the A- and B-segment small-car market. The snappy urban runabout sits in the B-segment, where it is up against some stiff competition like that of the VW Polo, the Ford Fiesta and the Hyundai i20.
While 108 000 units of the Toyota Yaris have been sold to date since its introduction to the country in 2005, sales post-2011 have been tapering off.
Reason enough for a good old-fashioned nip and tuck to revitalise the model and reinvigorate sales. Cue the Yaris Pulse.
An updated range
While the range continues its offering of the entry level 1.0-litre variant and hybrid model (the only local car in its segment with hybrid power), the newly refreshed Yaris Pulse now offers three models with a 1.5-litre engine that boasts lower emissions, more torque, 12% more power and up to 12% more fuel efficiency over the 1.3-litre engine that it replaces.
Esta historia es de la edición 22 June 2017 de Finweek English.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición 22 June 2017 de Finweek English.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES
As the Covid-19 pandemic abates, finweek takes a look at the financial performance of some of the largest players.
The effect of Gilbertson's departure
With Ntsimbintle Holdings now the major shareholder of Jupiter Mines, it could change SA’s manganese industry.
Making money from music
Why investors are increasingly drawn to the music industry.
Conviction is key
Sandy Rheeder plays a critical role in Mukuru’s mission to open up financial services to the emerging consumer market in Africa through tailor-made technology solutions and platforms.
The post-pandemic toolkit
How CFOs can use technology to support growth.
Big city living exodus
Mini cities like Waterfall City and Steyn City are redefining city-style apartment living.
Big compact, big value
Handsome, with a hefty level of standard specification, the roomy Haval Jolion compact crossover is a great value proposition.
On barriers to entry
There are various ways in which a company or sector can achieve competitive dominance. They usually make for good investments.
Fear and greed in one index
To buck the trend, when markets are hot or cold, is a tough thing to do. However, it can deliver solid returns.
Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon
Vantage Data Centers plans to invest over R15bn for its first African data centre facility in Attacq’s Waterfall City.