Toyota wants to make ground in Germany with new models and a restructured dealer network. The Japanese have hopes for their first real mini SUV. The C-HR, which started in the autumn, wants to score in the booming segment of small crossovers with its hybrid drive - a unique selling point in this class. There will also be a small turbo gasoline engine and an optional all-wheel drive is also announced. Toyota also promises more driving pleasure than the current, often somewhat pale models in this regard. Competitors for the small crossover are mainly models in the 20.000-euro league, such as Renault Captur or Nissan Juke.
In addition to the C-HR, which has already been shown as a study, new generations of well-known models such as the Hilux pick-up and the Proace MPV are coming onto the market this year. In addition, the new “Edition S” special model series in the existing model range is intended to provide a new impetus. It is launched for Aygo, Yaris, Auris, Verso and Avensis.
The Japanese automobile manufacturer, one of the strongest importers in Germany for many years, has been losing ground for years. In 2015, there were around 66.000 new registrations and a market share of 2,1 percent - far behind the current importer Primus Skoda, but also behind brands such as Seat and Hyundai. For the current year, Germany boss Tom Fux plans with 70.000 new registrations, in 2017 it will be 80.000, later up to 90.000. The return to a one-tier dealer network should also help. The changeover should be completed in June, Toyota Germany will then have a stronger influence on its sales partners because there are no longer any so-called secondary network dealers who only have to answer to the dealers. Competitors like Nissan and Mazda have already taken this step.