Toyota Platz

Infobox Automobile
name=Toyota Platz


manufacturer=Toyota
production=2000-2005
assembly=Toyota City, Japan
predecessor=Toyota Tercel
Toyota Paseo
successor=Toyota Belta
Toyota Yaris
class=Subcompact
wheelbase= Auto in|93.3|0
length= Auto in|163.2|0 (1999-2002)
Auto in|164.8|0 (2003-05)
width= Auto in|65.4|0
platform=Toyota CP platform
layout=FF layout
aka=Toyota Echo
Toyota Yaris
engine=1.5L Convert|108|hp|kW|0|abbr=on I4 1NZ-FE
transmission=4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
height= Auto in|59.4|0
body_style=2-door coupé
3-door hatchback
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon(Yaris Verso)
5-door hatchback
similar=Daewoo Lanos
Kia Rio
Suzuki Swift
related=Toyota Vitz

The Toyota Platz and the Toyota Echo sedan are small vehicles manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation based on the Toyota Vitz, the vehicle's hatchback variant. The first generation car was known as the Platz in Japan and Echo in North America.

History

Introduced in North America in 2000 as a sedan or coupé, The Echo's running gear is shared with the Toyota bB and Ist, sold in the United States as the Scion xA and xB, and the Japan-only Toyota Will Vi. The same CP platform is the base for the Japanese-only Probox and Succeed wagons.

In the United States, the Echo sold 50,000 examples, with just half that many in 2003 Fact|date=July 2008. The Echo was an element of Toyota Project Genesis, a failed effort to bring younger buyers to the marque in the United States. The Echo sold in high volumes in Canada, where smaller cars are more popular than in the US Fact|date=July 2008. In Canada, Toyota also offered a 3-door version of the Echo, which was identical to the European-market Toyota Vitz. It was the predecessor to the current North American Toyota Yaris, sharing many identical features, such as being Toyota's entry-level car at the time of its "existence", and the odd (and somewhat controversial) center placement of the speedometer and gauges, as opposed to in front of the steering wheel.Power options on the Echo are a rare find.Most are just equipped with manual windows and locks,A/C,and a six speaker audiosystem with a CD and/or a cassette player.

The Echo is known for it's quite outstanding fuel economy EPA estimates 41 mpg Hwy and 34 mpg City.

Long term effects of the Echo/Platz are very promising. There have been many reports of Echos in the USA reaching anywhere from 200.000 miles up to 400.000 miles with proper maintenance intervals.

In Australia, the 1999-2004 Echo was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash. [http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/vrne/vrne5nav.nsf/childdocs/-B8F8655488907260CA256FD300241C1A-667BCFE41674A389CA256FD300241C2B-1EE471300C4801C3CA2570A400083B3F?open]

In some parts of Southeast Asia (not including Hong Kong and Japan), a modified version of the Platz with different body panels is sold under the name Toyota Vios.

US sales

*2000 - 48,876
*2001 - 42,464
*2002 - 30,859
*2003 - 26,167
*2004 - 3,899
*2005 - 1,544