Yaris (Toyota)

On December 12, Toyota unveiled the all-new battery-electric compact SUV, Urban Cruiser.

The vehicle is built on a new battery electric vehicle platform that is lightweight and offers a spacious interior. The vehicle is slightly larger than Toyota's Yaris Cross, with dimensions of 4,285 mm (length), 1,800 mm (width), 1,640 mm (height), and a 2,700 mm wheelbase. The vehicle will be available in front- or all-wheel drive configurations, both utilizing lithium-iron phosphate battery technology.

The FWD model offers a choice between a 49-kWh battery delivering 106 kW and 189 Nm of torque, or a 61-kWh battery providing 128 kW and 189 Nm of torque. The AWD version comes equipped with a 61-kWh battery producing 135 kW and 300 Nm of torque.

The Urban Cruiser features a 360-degree camera, a 10.25-inch digital combimeter, a 10.1-inch multimedia display JBL premium audio, a fixed sunroof and a range of safety and driver assistance features.

Additionally, Toyota will make the public debut of the new Urban Cruiser at the 2025 Brussels Motor Show.

Based on Toyota Europe press release

On December 4, Toyota Mexico announced that 2024 is its best sales year since entering the market in 2002.

In November 2024, Toyota sold 11,935 vehicles in the country, bringing the year-to-date total to 111,362 units, and achieving an 8.3% market share.

From January to November, 33,131 units sold were HEVs, accounting for about 30% of sales and exceeding the year’s electrification targets. The five best-selling models included the Hilux with 19,735 units sold, RAV4 with 13,786 units, Yaris Sedan with 10,820 units, Corolla with 10,717 units, and Avanza with 10,439 units, representing nearly 60% of total sales.

Additionally, Toyota’s certified pre-owned vehicle program, Comonuevos, achieved its best year since its 2007 launch, with 9,503 units sold in November, totaling 99,341 vehicles to date.

Vice President Gerardo Romero praised these accomplishments, emphasizing Toyota’s commitment to the Mexican market and readiness for further growth in 2025.

(Toyota Mexico on December 4, 2024)

On December 2, the Italian automobile manufacturers association (ANFIA) announced that passenger car registrations of 124,251 units in November decreased 10.8% over the same month in 2023.

Year-to-date sales decreased 0.2% with 1,452,973 cars registered in the first eleven months of 2024.

In November, Toyota registrations increased 10.7% year-on-year (9.0% market share), Volkswagen brand registrations increased 17.4% (8.6% share), Fiat brand registrations decreased 41.7% (7.1% share), Dacia registrations decreased 2.2% (7.1% share), Renault registrations decreased 2.0% (5.8% share).

The best-selling cars in November, in order of popularity, were the Fiat Panda, Dacia Sandero, Jeep Avenger, Citroen C3 and Toyota Yaris.

The foreign car distributors association (UNRAE) announced that gasoline-powered passenger car sales in November decreased 12.1% y/y to 34,497 units (27.4% share), diesel passenger car sales decreased 23.7% to 15,886 units (12.6% share), hybrid car (HEV) sales decreased 0.4% to 53,551 units (42.6% share), plug-in hybrid car (PHEV) and REx combined sales decreased 31.8% to 3,944 units (3.1% share), and electric vehicle (BEV) sales decreased 16.9% to 6,613 units (5.3% share).

(ANFIA release from December 2, 2024) (UNRAE release from December 2, 2024)