Future Of Toyota Matrix In Doubt, Even With Strong Sales in Canada
With Matrix sales slumping in the U.S, Toyota may not invest in a next-generation version when the 2013 Corolla hits dealerships. Only 14,592 Toyota Matrix’s were sold last year in the U.S which is down from 66,836 units in 2002. Matrix sales are still doing well in Canada, but Corolla sales are double that of the Matrix.
There has been some speculation that the upcoming Prius compact variant may replace or steal sales from the Matrix. Bob Carter, Toyota’s Group Vice President and General Manager, says the two vehicles are expected to attract two vastly different audiences.
Toyota would do well to update and refresh the aging matrix. With high fuel prices, people are turning away from SUVs and looking at hatchbacks and wagons. Hyundai and Ford already offer five door variants. According to Ward’s Auto, 43 percent of 2012 Ford Focus sales have been hatchbacks to date.
[Source: Wards Auto]
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I have a 2010 Matrix....got it in 09..and walking out of this one today and into a 2013..for another 4-5 years..this car has been dependable, versatile and a pleasure to drive.
I have a 2009 Pontiac Vibe, which was a rebadged Toyota Matrix. My wife just purchased a Prius, so we spent a lot of time in Toyota dealerships. The 2013 models of the Matrix have barely changed in the past five years, and the interior feels incredibly dated compared to pretty much everything else that Toyota currently sells. I really hope they refresh the line soon. I think there's a market for a wagon/hatchback bigger than the Yaris, but cheaper than the hybrid Prius. Incidentally the overall length and the seats-up cargo capacity of the Prius is nearly identical to that of the Vibe, it's rather remarkable seeing them parked side to side in the driveway. The Prius doesn't have a true "fold flat" cargo area with the seats down like the Vibe/Matrix though.