Toyota Platz
Encyclopedia
The Toyota Platz is a subcompact
automobile that was manufactured in Japan by Toyota from 1999 through to 2005, when replaced by the Toyota Belta
. Designated by Toyota as the XP10 series, the Platz was sold in export markets as either the Toyota Echo or Toyota Yaris. The "Echo" and "Yaris" names were also given to the export version of the related Japanese market Toyota Vitz
hatchback, from which the Platz derives.
"Platz" is German for "square" (as in a town square). Only inline-four engines were fitted to the Platz, which was sold in Japan as a four-door sedan only. A coupe was also available in North America where the car was badged "Echo".
in coupé
and sedan guises. The Echo's running gear is shared with the ist
and Toyota bB
, sold in the United States
as the Scion xA
and xB
respectively, and the Japan-only Toyota Will Vi. The same 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 . 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 . In Canada, Toyota also offered 3- and 5-door versions of the Echo
, which was identical to the European-market Toyota Vitz, although they went on sale as 2004 models to replace the Toyota Echo coupe (last sold in Canada
after the 2002 model year). As a response for Toyota bringing Echo hatchbacks to Canada
, the Toyota Echo coupe was last sold in Canada
as a 2002 model, but remained on sale in the United States
until ending production as a 2005 model, along with the sedan. It was the predecessor to the current North American Toyota Yaris
, sharing many identical features, such as 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 audio system with a CD and/or a cassette player.
The Echo is known for its quite outstanding fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 41 mpg Hwy and 34 mpg City.
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
.
The 2010 edition of Monash University
's Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR), found that the XP10 provides a "poor" (two out of five stars) level of occupant safety protection
in the event of an accident.
Subcompact car
Subcompact car is a North American term used to describe automobiles whose class size is smaller than that of a compact car, usually not exceeding in length, but larger than a microcar...
automobile that was manufactured in Japan by Toyota from 1999 through to 2005, when replaced by the Toyota Belta
Toyota Belta
The Toyota Belta, referred to in North American and Australian markets as the Toyota Yaris and in South Asian markets as the Toyota Vios, is a subcompact sedan manufactured by Toyota...
. Designated by Toyota as the XP10 series, the Platz was sold in export markets as either the Toyota Echo or Toyota Yaris. The "Echo" and "Yaris" names were also given to the export version of the related Japanese market Toyota Vitz
Toyota Vitz
The Toyota Vitz is a line of three- and five-door hatchback subcompact cars produced since 1998 by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Now in its third generation, the name "Toyota Vitz" has been used consistently in Japan, with most international markets receiving the same vehicle under...
hatchback, from which the Platz derives.
"Platz" is German for "square" (as in a town square). Only inline-four engines were fitted to the Platz, which was sold in Japan as a four-door sedan only. A coupe was also available in North America where the car was badged "Echo".
History
The Echo was introduced in North America in 1999 as for the 2000 model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
in coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
and sedan guises. The Echo's running gear is shared with the ist
Toyota ist
The Toyota ist is a subcompact car made in Japan by Toyota.It is exported to the United States as the Scion xA and Scion xD and to Europe as the Urban Cruiser.-First generation:...
and Toyota bB
Toyota bB
-First Generation :It is based on the Toyota Vitz.While the box-shaped car was initially targeted towards Japanese men in their twenties, it is also popular with women buyers.-Open deck :...
, sold in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as the Scion xA
Scion xA
Scion xA is a five-door hatchback subcompact marketed in the US from 2004-2006 — as an export model of the Japanese Domestic Market Toyota ist. Based on the first generation Toyota Vitz hatchback, the xA shared a platform with the Toyota Platz sedan....
and xB
Scion xB
The Scion xB is a vehicle made by Toyota for the United States market and sold under their youth-oriented Scion brand. It is a box-shaped, 5-door compact hatchback.-First generation :...
respectively, and the Japan-only Toyota Will Vi. The same platform is the base for the Japanese-only Probox and Succeed wagons.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the Echo sold 50,000 examples, with just half that many in 2003 . The Echo was an element of Toyota Project Genesis
Toyota Project Genesis
Project Genesis was a plan by the Toyota Motor Sales USA to attract more youthful buyers to the company's products. Widely considered by the media to be one of Toyota's worst flops, the experiment provided the foundation for Toyota's less than successful Scion marque.Launched in 1999, Project...
, a failed effort to bring younger buyers to the marque in the United States. The Echo sold in high volumes in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, where smaller cars are more popular than in the US . In Canada, Toyota also offered 3- and 5-door versions of the Echo
Toyota Vitz
The Toyota Vitz is a line of three- and five-door hatchback subcompact cars produced since 1998 by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Now in its third generation, the name "Toyota Vitz" has been used consistently in Japan, with most international markets receiving the same vehicle under...
, which was identical to the European-market Toyota Vitz, although they went on sale as 2004 models to replace the Toyota Echo coupe (last sold in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
after the 2002 model year). As a response for Toyota bringing Echo hatchbacks to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the Toyota Echo coupe was last sold in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
as a 2002 model, but remained on sale in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
until ending production as a 2005 model, along with the sedan. It was the predecessor to the current North American Toyota Yaris
Toyota Vitz
The Toyota Vitz is a line of three- and five-door hatchback subcompact cars produced since 1998 by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Now in its third generation, the name "Toyota Vitz" has been used consistently in Japan, with most international markets receiving the same vehicle under...
, sharing many identical features, such as 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 audio system with a CD and/or a cassette player.
The Echo is known for its quite outstanding fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 41 mpg Hwy and 34 mpg City.
In some parts of Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
(not including Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Japan), a modified version of the Platz with different body panels is sold under the name Toyota Vios
Toyota Vios
The Toyota Vios is a 4-door subcompact sedan developed for the South East Asia, China, and Taiwan markets.Introduced in 2003, the Vios serves as a replacement of the Toyota Tercel , which filled the Asian subcompact market for a 1.5 litre, below the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry, both of which...
.
The 2010 edition of Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
's Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR), found that the XP10 provides a "poor" (two out of five stars) level of occupant safety protection
Automobile safety
Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
in the event of an accident.