Toyota paints 86 blue for local sales milestone
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 1st Jun 2018
THE Toyota 86 has recently passed 20,000 sales in Australia after its launch exactly six years ago, with importer Toyota Australia marking the milestone by adding Apollo Blue paintwork as an option for the sportscar’s flagship GTS grade.
As such, the 86 is the first Toyota sportscar to notch at least 20,000 local sales since the Celica, which did it during its run from 1970 to 2006.
While the Celica averaged about 3200 annual sales during its 35-year tenure, the 86 currently outpaces it with a mean of more than 3300 yearly deliveries through its shorter six-year term.
The 86’s success is further punctuated when it is compared with two of Toyota’s other classic sportscars, the Supra and MR2, which managed 2895 and 3451 total sales respectively during their time in Australian showrooms.
According to Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley, the 86 is only the tip of the iceberg for the Japanese marque as it gears up to launch other exciting models in the near future.
“The sales success of the Toyota 86 has been impressive, and it is just the start of a new era of excitement within our company,” he said.
“Toyota's designers and engineers are continuing to display their commitment to more desirable styling and greater driving enjoyment with cars like the latest Camry, the upcoming Corolla and next year’s RAV4.
“This passion is also evident in Toyota's decision to resurrect the famous Supra name in a car that is under development and slated for launch soon.”
To commemorate this occasion, optional Apollo Blue paintwork is available on the 86 GTS for the first time, however buyers will need to purchase the extra-cost performance kit if they wish to gain access to the special hue.
While the performance kit usually costs $2200 on the GTS grade, the premium will increase by $750 if the Apollo Blue paintwork is specified alongside black leather-accented interior trim and a unique black finish for the alloy wheels, side mirrors and rear spoiler.
As previously reported, the performance kit normally consists of larger Brembo brakes, bespoke Sachs dampers and new-look 10-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.
The 86 GTS continues to start from $36,640 before on-road costs with a six-speed manual gearbox, or $38,940 with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Sales of the 86 have taken a significant hit this year, with 352 units sold to the end of April, representing a 47.5 per cent decrease over the 670 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.
As a result, the Toyota places fourth in the sub-$80,000 sportscar segment this year, trailing the Ford Mustang (2018 units), BMW 2 Series Coupe and Convertible (567) and Mazda MX-5 (375) but ahead of the Hyundai Veloster (323) and Subaru BRZ (288), among others.
