A MAJOR car company could be bringing back a beloved sports car almost 20 years after it was discontinued.
The motor giant’s chairman floated the idea of a revival for the model in a new interview – but there’s no word on what the relaunched version will be called.
GettyToyota may be relaunching an iconic model almost 20 years after it was discontinued[/caption]
Company chairman Akio Toyoda floated the idea of a return for the Celica in a recent interviewToyota
Toyota boss Akio Toyoda sat down the the Toyota Times, the company’s internal news outlet, and teased a comeback for a popular car.
In the interview, he suggested that the Celica could return, potentially under a different name.
Asked if he had requested a return for the car Mr Toyoda said: “Well, I have, but I don’t know what name it will come out under.”
However, he emphasised that he was not in charge of that process and that, thanks to the “diversification” of the brand’s corporate structure, executives are able to reject his request.
Nonetheless, it is a pretty strong indication of the will to bring the motor back at the highest level of the company.
The Celica was produced by the Japanese manufacturer between 1970 and 2006.
It went through six generation cycles but was scrapped due to poor sales, with just 3,113 sold in the US, one of their largest markets, in 2005.
However, a resurgence in demand for sports coupe cars and the Celica’s status as a motorsport legend could now see it brought back.
The Celica badge was best known for the rallying experts of the Toyota team in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s.
It was driven to two World Rally Championship titles, in 1990 and 1992, by Carlos Sainz Sr., father of the current Ferrari F1 driver.
The model also emerged victorious in 1993 and 1994 under the piloting skills of four-time world champion Juda Kankkunen and Didier Auriol, the first Frenchman ever to win the title.
It’s future remains uncertain, but Mr Toyoda’s remarks are the first indication of it potentially bursting back onto the world stage.
Toyota has been contacted for comment.
The news comes after Ford reportedly considered relaunching one of its models just three years after it was binned.
Meanwhile, a driver was left stunned when he received a £1.2 million speeding fine, with authorities insisting the figure was correct.