Toyota Cavalier: "Toyota" that is not "Toyota" at all (6 photos + 1 video)

Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors signed a historic agreement on November 19, 1993, according to which Toyota, starting from 1995 was supposed to sell cars Chevrolet Cavalier in Japan under the Toyota brand.





The Japanese company Toyota in the early 90s felt fabulous. At home, the company ranked first in the market among of all automakers, and in the United States, the Japanese sold a million cars annually. Naturally, this situation did not suit everyone. American automakers have long been sharpening their teeth on their Asian counterparts and put pressure on legislators.

Chevrolet (top) and Toyota. The cars were virtually identical in appearance.



The Japanese, taught by the bitter experience of the "trade war" unleashed Americans in the late 80s, made various concessions in every possible way. So lest avoid restrictions on the export of Japanese cars to the US, Toyota and GM signed an agreement according to which cars of the American corporations will be sold in Japan. And not under its own brand, under the Toyota brand.





The first such car called Toyota Cavalier appeared in 1995. In fact, it was slightly modified Chevrolet Cavalier of the same model year. medium size, front-wheel drive car had two types of body - sedan and coupe. Under a 150-horsepower 4-cylinder injection engine was hidden under the hood, which was paired with an automatic 4-speed gearbox. If judging by the technique, the Cavalier did not differ in any special delights. Pretty ordinary car with a body in the style of "biodesign".



Naturally, the car was adapted to the Japanese market: they moved steering wheel on the right side, updated lighting equipment, slightly improved interior trim. Otherwise, it was a typical "American" of those years from average build quality, rather voracious motor, cheap finishing materials and a long chassis resource. By the way, Toyota was going to Cavalier by SKD method, from American components.



The car did not go to the Japanese, although GM placed large hope. Of the planned 80,000 cars, only 36,000 were sold. There were several reasons, but the main ones were low quality and high car tax class. As a result, in 2000 production the American "Cavalier" had to be curtailed.