Toyota Aygo: A Replacement That could be Electric
Toyota intends to offer a new generation of its small city car. But the Aygo could become an electric model, as it is already the case for many of its competitors.
Johan Van Zyl, who runs Toyota Europe, told Automotive News that the Aygo will have a sequel. The Japanese will, therefore, remain on the market for small city cars, which others have just left or are about to do. Opel has thus stopped the production of Karl and Adam, while Ford sells the last Ka +. Even Fiat, a specialist in the genre, wants to upgrade its Panda.
It must be said that this type of vehicle has become unprofitable with the implementation of the latest emission standards. Added to this is a drop in demand, with competition from city dwellers in the higher segment on offer or already at attractive prices, such as the Dacia Sandero.
The Aygo remains a nice success, however, with more than 80,000 copies sold in Europe from January to October 2019. Johan Van Zyl emphasizes that the model was a good tool for conquest, notably making it possible to reach younger customers.
Toyota, however, raises the question of an evolution of the Aygo, which could become electric. The boss explains that it is a model with an urban vocation and that more and more metropolises are implementing traffic restrictions for thermal vehicles.
Moreover, the switch to electric has already started with the competition. The trios of the Volkswagen group (Up, Citigo and Mii) have just adopted an electric motor, and this is now the only possible mechanic at Smart. Renault is preparing an electric Twingo.
The other important change for the Aygo 3 will be the end of the partnership with PSA, formalized in 2018. It will end in 2021, the Japanese brand having to buy the shares of the company created for this joint project.
