Toyota Studying Corolla Hatchback to Replace Matrix
With its little-loved Matrix axed for the 2014 model year, Toyota might be considering a five-door version of the Corolla as a replacement.
Individual sales figures for the Matrix were never reported. Instead, Toyota lumped its other-named hatchback in with total Corolla numbers. It was a fitting move considering the Matrix is basically a Corolla hatchback with a less obvious name. Edmunds.com reports that in 2012 the company only sold about 4,300 of the compact hatchbacks; roughly 1.5 percent of the Corolla’s total U.S. sales for that year.
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Hyundai currently offers a five-door version of the Elantra, and Mazda does the same with its bread-and-butter Mazda3. Toyota sales executive Paul Holdridge told Edmunds that the company is studying the possibility of a five-door Corolla to take its place.
Sales staff in Toyota showrooms would pitch customers on the Matrix if they decided a Corolla was too small. The trouble was, most people didn’t seem to realize the car existed. But where the Matrix was is more akin to a Corolla station wagon, the new product would be probably be a shorter hatchback.
GALLERY: 2014 Toyota Corolla
[Source: Edmunds]
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Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.
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Gee, you think maybe nobody was interested in the Matrix on account of it's hideously repulsive styling????
I thought the Matrix was the perfect car. It was like a little SUV with the great mileage of a Carolla. And, being tall, I loved all the head room. Really sorry to see it go. Seems like they're trying to make you buy a RAV4.