Toyota: More competition and rising production push down car prices

Toyota will remain a "full-line provider" in Europe, says Sales and Marketing Director Tom Fox in an interview with Autoren-Union Mobilität. The current second-largest car brand in Europe does not want to withdraw from the small vehicle segments and only build expensive, larger cars, like some others. "We will continue to be represented in the A-segment, which some competitors have left, and will also continue to develop and build small cars," promises Fux. Mobility should be affordable for many people. Toyota offers the Aygo in the A-segment.

In recent years, many manufacturers have withdrawn from the small car segment because the profit margins here are too low. Added to this are the high costs of electric drives, which cannot be covered by the price of small cars. Nevertheless, Toyota is planning to launch the Yaris and Yaris Cross in the B segment in 2024. Fux: "We believe in the small segment." A small city SUV with electric drive is also expected from Toyota next year.

Against the backdrop of falling demand and rising production figures, Fux expects that car prices will not rise any further and that inflation will at least take a break: "Production in Europe is rising, but we still do not see any overcapacity in the market. All manufacturers want to sell more cars and competition - including price competition - has indeed become tougher. This is not bad news for customers." (aum)