The multi-award-winning, popular Yaris has passed the 10 million sales mark worldwide, joining the ranks of the successful Toyota Corolla, Camry, RAV4, Hilux and Land Cruiser models, which have also reached this remarkable eight-digit mark.
For around 25 years, the Yaris has been setting new standards of innovation in its class and pioneering the introduction of new technologies and concepts in the compact segment. During this time, it has risen to become one of the best-selling Toyota models in Europe.
In its current generation, the Yaris has once again demonstrated its ability to adapt to the needs of customers. The Yaris model range was expanded in 2020 with the highly acclaimed GR Yaris high-performance sports car and in 2021 with the Yaris Cross urban crossover SUV with an elevated seating position.
At the end of February 2023, cumulative sales of the Yaris model series in Europe since the launch of the first generation in 1999 reached 5,155,506 vehicles. With sales of 185′781 Yaris, 156′086 Yaris Cross and 5′392 GR Yaris, the Yaris model range accounts for more than a third of all Toyota brand vehicles sold in Europe. This corresponds to a market share of 8 percent in the segment as a whole.
Thanks to production facilities all over the world, the Yaris is a truly global Toyota model. Production began in January 1999 at the Takaoka plant in Aichi, Japan. Today, the Yaris is produced in plants in ten countries: Japan, Brazil, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, France and the Czech Republic.
In Europe, Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) has been producing the Yaris since 2001 and the Yaris Cross since 2021. In the same year, production of the Yaris also started at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) in Kolin, Czech Republic, to meet the growing demand for the model in Europe. Total production of the Yaris model series in Europe reached more than 4.6 million units by the end of 2022.
Key components of the Yaris, such as gasoline engines, hybrid electric drives and transmissions, are also produced in Europe at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland (TMMP) plant, which supplies the plants in France and the Czech Republic (TMMF and TMMCZ).
The Yaris, which has always aimed to provide stylish, practical mobility for the demands of modern everyday life, has an enviable history of innovation in safety, efficiency and performance that has enduring appeal to customers.
The first generation Yaris was awarded the coveted "Car of the Year" title in 2000. It was the very first Toyota model to receive this award. In the same year, the Toyota Vitz, as the model is known in Japan, also won the title of "Japanese Car of the Year". Each subsequent generation of the Yaris has been shortlisted for the Car of the Year award. In 2021, the current generation Yaris became the first model series to win the coveted title for the second time in the 21st century.
The first generation - Piccolo Genio aka Little Genius
At the end of the 1990s, Toyota decided to develop a new small car for global use in the 21st century. The new model was to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Toyota Starlet small car - no easy task. To this end, the model had to have a modern appearance and be equipped with the latest technologies. It was to offer a glimpse of driving in the next millennium and set new standards in the small car segment with its revolutionary "big-small" design.
A first impression of this visionary idea was given to the public at the IAA 1997 in Frankfurt with the Toyota Funtime, a completely new fun concept car developed at the Toyota European Office of Creation (EPOC) design center in Brussels.
One year later, the new Toyota Yaris made its debut at the Paris Motor Show. The exterior design came from the EPOC design center, which was soon renamed Toyota European Design Development (ED2). The interior design, on the other hand, was the result of a collaboration between designers and engineers from Europe and Japan. The first generation of the Yaris was modern, strong in character and clearly European. The car was characterized by its relatively high, spacious and organically shaped body, which was based on the central design concept of human dimensions.
Although the exterior dimensions were pleasantly compact, the Yaris offered a comfortable, practically designed interior that surpassed the space offered by even many larger vehicles, with generous headroom and maximum storage space thanks to flexible seats.
The first Yaris impressed with its clever, minimalist styling and appealing aesthetics, without compromising on safety. It was the safest car in its segment according to Euro NCAP ratings, setting a trend that continues to this day.
The innovative first-generation Yaris was powered by a modern, efficient 1.0-liter petrol engine, nicknamed the "Mighty Atom" because it offered the same performance as a conventional 1.4-liter engine. It delivered a powerful 68 hp and was awarded "International Engine of the Year" for the first time in 1999.
The Yaris went down in Toyota's corporate history when it was voted Car of the Year in 2000. It was the first Toyota model ever to receive this prestigious award from a jury of European automotive journalists. The jury praised the exterior and interior design of the first-generation Yaris as well as the versatility of its comfortable interior. The Yaris' 1.0-liter engine also received much recognition for its high quality and efficiency: the jury described it as the best 1.0-liter engine available on the market. A second engine variant was introduced later in the year: A 1.3-liter VVT-i engine with 87 hp was also immediately available to customers of the five-door premium model.
In 2001, the Yaris was involved in the launch of the T-Sport performance brand in Europe. The three-door Yaris T-Sport had a powerful 1.5-litre VVT-i engine with 106 hp at 6′000 rpm, a performance-optimized chassis, a reinforced body and a sporty interior. With an acceleration of 9.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, the class leader was faster than most 1.6-liter competitors at the time. In the medium speed range from 60 to 100 km/h (8.4 seconds), it was even faster than all comparable competitors. The success of the Yaris T-Sport laid the foundation for particularly performance-oriented versions to be offered in every Yaris generation since then.
With the introduction of the 1.4-liter D-4D diesel engine in 2002, which Toyota was the first manufacturer in the world to produce entirely from aluminium, the engine range of the Yaris model series was complete.
The Yaris soon became a favorite of customers throughout Europe, who saw it as a practical, trendy car that was fun to drive for everyday city driving and a reliable partner for longer journeys. This was also proven by the worldwide sales figures of more than 1.2 million vehicles of the first generation.
The innovative, likeable character of the first-generation Yaris is perhaps best summed up by the slogan with which Toyota lovingly promoted the new car in a very successful advertising campaign in Italy as the "piccolo genio", or "little genius".
A car with many names
In addition to its affectionate nicknames, the Yaris was known worldwide under various names. The now familiar name Yaris is derived from "Charis", the singular form of Charites, the Greek goddesses of grace, beauty, nature, human creativity, goodwill and fertility.
From its market launch in 1999 until the introduction of the current generation, the model was marketed in Japan under the name Vitz. Depending on the version and region, the model was also known as the Toyota Platz, Echo, Belta, Vios and Scion iA. In some countries, it was also marketed as the Daihatsu Charade and Mazda2.
Only the Yaris, Vitz, Yaris Cross and GR Yaris models were included in the milestone of 10 million vehicles sold worldwide.
The second generation - five-star safety
With the second generation, which was launched in Europe in 2005, the Yaris came of age. Its reputation as an intelligent vehicle with optimum space and comfort, featuring innovative technologies for enhanced safety and performance, continued to improve, while the driving experience was also further optimized.
Thanks to the "big car concept" and the generally larger dimensions, the second generation was more spacious than ever before. In terms of space, the Yaris could easily compete with vehicles in the larger C-segment. Thanks to the flat floor in the rear, three adults can sit comfortably on the rear seats, which can be moved and folded down in a 60:40 ratio, and enjoy an impressive 880 mm of legroom.
The pioneering load volume of 737 liters was achieved in part thanks to Toyota's practical Easy Flat system, which ensures a flat load floor by quickly and easily folding down the rear seats. Special attention to detail and passenger comfort has also been achieved by fine-tuning the sound of the doors closing and providing 18.2 liters of storage space in the dashboard alone.
Performance and efficiency have been improved, as have driving dynamics and ride comfort, aided by an aerodynamically efficient body with a low drag coefficient of 0.30.
The enviable tradition of meeting even higher safety standards continued with a five-star rating for occupant protection from Euro NCAP - a first for a Yaris. Toyota's innovative Minimal Intrusion Cabin System and up to nine airbags throughout the cabin, including a knee airbag for the driver, ensured even greater safety - a milestone for a car the size of the Yaris.
The second-generation Yaris was offered as a three- and five-door model with three different engines. The new 1.0-liter VVT-i petrol engine was light, economical and powerful at the same time: engine output (69 hp) and torque (93 Nm) were at the top of its class. The 1.3-liter VVT-i unit carried over from the previous generation continued to enjoy great popularity, as torque at low revs and power at high revs were improved to provide a sporty yet smooth driving experience. The 1.4-liter D-4D diesel engine was further developed and at the time produced 90 hp at 3′600 rpm.
As the Yaris became increasingly popular with drivers of all ages, the Yaris TS met the demand for a sportier version. The new hatchback version was presented at the 2006 Paris Motor Show and was equipped with a new 1.8-liter dual VVT-i engine with 132 hp for a top speed of 194 km/h as well as a sports suspension. A rear spoiler and side skirts emphasized the sporty styling of the vehicle.
As environmental awareness grew in Europe, so did the demand for smaller, more efficient cars. The Yaris was a pioneer in this respect, combining an elegant, urban look with technical innovations. In 2009, Toyota Optimal Drive technology was introduced, which reduced fuel consumption and emissions without compromising the Yaris' famously agile handling.
The third generation - hello hybrid
All Yaris models demonstrated a pioneering spirit. In 2012, the third generation revolutionized the small car market with the introduction of a full hybrid, which became the most technically innovative Yaris of all time.
Three years of development work went into the complete redesign of the Hybrid Synergy Drive, in which around 70 percent of the engine components were renewed. The result is Toyota's lightest, most compact hybrid drive system - without compromising on performance, interior comfort or load space.
As the first full hybrid vehicle in the B-segment - another first for the pioneering brand - the Yaris has become a symbol of Toyota's commitment to bringing the benefits of hybrid drive (efficiency and stress-free driving) to a growing number of customers and offering full hybrid versions across the company's model range.
Thanks to advanced exhaust gas recirculation technology and an electric water pump, the Yaris' 100 hp hybrid powertrain not only offered best-in-class performance and fuel efficiency, but also the ability to drive purely electrically with zero exhaust emissions for the first time.
The third-generation Yaris was technically groundbreaking. It also set new standards with its stylish, elegant exterior design, bold color options and an aerodynamically optimized body shape that achieved a groundbreaking drag coefficient of 0.287.
In 2017, Toyota European Design and Development and Toyota's engineering teams in Europe took a leading role in a €90 million global project to update the third generation Yaris, using more than 900 new parts to improve design, dynamics and safety.
Following another five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test, the facelift introduced Toyota's Safety Sense technologies across the range - a further sign that safety is standard on the Yaris. It also debuted a fresh look with a modernized front and rear end developed by Toyota's ED2 design center.
The company's return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017 under the Toyota GAZOO Racing umbrella led to the development of the limited-edition Yaris GRMN, the first particularly performance-oriented Toyota GRMN to be built and sold in Europe. The abbreviation GRMN stands for "GAZOO Racing Meister of Nürburgring". Because it is a genuine sports car, the 400 units of the Yaris GRMN were sold out even before the car reached the showrooms.
In 2018, the Toyota GAZOO Racing-inspired Yaris GR SPORT became the first model with the GR SPORT specification to be launched in Europe. The continued success of the GR SPORT model has led to the sporty performance-inspired specification being introduced across the Toyota model range in Europe, on the Yaris, Yaris Cross, Corolla, C-HR, RAV4 and Hilux.
The fourth generation - dynamics and safety
The fourth-generation Yaris was launched in 2020 and was the safest compact car in the world at the time thanks to innovative driver assistance systems (ADAS) fitted as standard. This model was also the first to be marketed worldwide under the Yaris name.
By returning to the "big-small" concept, the vehicle radiates even more dynamism: The new Yaris is shorter, wider and lower than the previous model. The powerful exterior design expresses the agility and compactness that make driving and parking in the city easier. At the same time, it offers plenty of space and comfort in the interior.
A key element in achieving the ambitious goals of the fourth generation was the GA-B platform of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). The Yaris was the first compact car to be built on this modular platform. Thanks to its low center of gravity and highly rigid body, driving dynamics and handling were improved.
The GA-B platform also contributed to a striking design reminiscent of a sprinter's stance on the starting block. The wider, lower, more compact look and lower driver's seating position created the compressed and agile look of an energetic, dynamic and always-ready vehicle.
The efficiency of the drivetrain was increased by 22 percent overall, without compromising performance. On the contrary, this has been increased by 16 percent to 116 hp. Optimized throttle response has resulted in even better handling. This helped to reduce acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h by 15 percent to a lively 9.7 seconds.
The latest generation of hybrid technology has been optimized in terms of weight, performance and efficiency, which has significantly changed the electric driving characteristics of the Yaris. Up to a speed of 130 km/h, the occupants can enjoy the comfort of an all-electric drive. The improved performance of the hybrid drive resulted in better acceleration at low speeds and at highway speeds, with more linear acceleration for even more driving pleasure.
The fourth-generation Yaris was once again Toyota's most popular model in Europe, becoming the best-selling model on the continent for the first time thanks to its modern combination of compact urban chic, good equipment and the lowest fuel consumption in its class.
Just over twenty years after the Yaris was named Toyota's first Car of the Year, a jury of 59 European automotive journalists named the fourth-generation Yaris Car of the Year 2021. The jury praised the Yaris' hybrid drive technology for its smooth running, low emissions and affordable purchase price. This explains why more than 80 percent of Yaris buyers opted for the hybrid drive. The Yaris received further recognition for its design, dynamic driving characteristics and pioneering safety.
In 2022, the new Yaris GR SPORT, which is based on the fourth-generation Yaris, was launched in Europe in the exclusive new Dynamic Grey exterior color as a two-tone paint finish with black accents. New, specially developed 18-inch wheels with twisted red trim lines emphasize the GAZOO racing look; the radiator grille features an all-new mesh grille with a striking G motif. The Yaris GR SPORT also features a well-tuned suspension and improved body rigidity for an even more responsive, comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.
GR Yaris - award-winning sports car
Following the successful Yaris GRMN and the first Yaris GR SPORT, the GR Yaris was the first high-performance sports car in the GAZOO Racing range to leave the factory in 2020.
The inspiration for this road-going sports car was the successful Yaris World Rally Car, which brought the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team a one-make title and two driver and co-driver titles at its launch. The Yaris continued to pioneer innovative technologies and received unprecedented praise, quickly becoming a modern classic.
Toyota's rally experience was directly incorporated into the development of the GR Yaris. It was developed on a special platform that combines the new GA-B platform with a rear end adapted from the GA-C platform. It features lightweight aluminum body panels and a forged carbon composite roof, as well as weight-saving parts throughout the vehicle.
At the heart of the car is the world's most powerful three-cylinder engine, which is also the smallest and lightest 1.6-liter turbo engine. With an output of 261 hp and a torque of 360 Nm, it accelerates the GR Yaris from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds and on to the electronically limited top speed of 230 km/h.
With a kerb weight of just 1′280 kg, the GR Yaris offers an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 4.9 kg/hp, with power being distributed via the permanent, electronically controlled GR-FOUR all-wheel drive system. This powerful combination ensured that the limited production run of 25′000 units of the most extreme Yaris ever was quickly sold out.
The GR Yaris is also at the forefront of Toyota's drive towards a carbon-neutral future, in both production and motorsport vehicles. One example of the company's continued investment in new, diverse powertrain technologies is the GR Yaris H2, which made its European debut in August 2021 with a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine with near-zero exhaust emissions. Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, conducted demo drives with rally legend Juha Kankkunen as co-driver at the Ypres Rally in Belgium.
Due to regulation changes in the World Rally Championship, Toyota GAZOO Racing introduced the GR Yaris Rally1 for the 2022 season, which is based on the road-going model.
To date, the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team has won an impressive three Manufacturers' Championship titles and four Drivers' and Co-Drivers' Championship titles, bringing Toyota's total to six World Rally Championship Manufacturers' Championship titles.
Built in Europe
In anticipation of the great success of the first Yaris generation, Toyota laid the foundation stone for a new high-tech production plant in Valenciennes, France, in October 1998, which was to supplement the Yaris production at the Japanese plant in Takaoka. TMMF (Toyota Motor Manufacturing France) was designed from the outset as an "environmentally friendly, clean and lean production plant of the 21st century". The plant was 30 percent more compact than a typical automobile plant of its time and took a leading position in reducing energy consumption and emissions. In some areas of the plant, the storage areas are even ten times more compact than in comparable automobile plants with similar production capacity.
TMMF was commissioned in January 2001 with an initial production capacity of 150′000 vehicles per year. By 2022, annual production had increased to 255,584 vehicles, making it the highest-volume car plant in France. In the same year, the Yaris Cross became the most produced single model of all brands in France for the first time with 161′508 vehicles, replacing its brother Yaris, which had been at the top seven times in the previous ten years.
Investments totaling around 1.5 billion euros have been made in the plant, which now employs 5,000 people. This includes the capital investment required for each new generation of vehicles and each new model, as well as considerable funds for the continuous improvement of environmental protection within the company. Just a few years after it was founded, part of the roof was fitted with PV modules and a 400 m² solar wall was installed.
Since 2019, the site has been supplied with 100 percent renewable energy. Since 2012, it has also been completely self-sufficient in terms of service water thanks to two basins with a total volume of 16,000 m³. Most of the process water comes from rainwater, which is collected in these basins. The rest is recycled from the plant's waste water, which is treated in accordance with the required standards before being used in the production process.
Over the past 20 years, TMMF has been able to reduce the energy requirements for the production of the Yaris by 59 percent. For this, the plant has been recognized internally within Toyota as a world leader. In addition, the recently installed new paint line in the plastic parts department, a world first at Toyota, is expected to save 1′000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. TMMF has set itself the goal of achieving CO2-neutral production from 2030 and completely emission-free production from 2040.
The ten millionth vehicle - a Yaris GR SPORT in Dynamic Grey - rolled off the production line at TMMF on March 30, 2023 and was delivered to a French customer from the greater Paris area.
