The gradual shift in Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. product and sales mix over the past decade has exposed some weak performers on the car side.
In 2009, cars accounted for 63 percent of the Toyota brand's U.S. sales. Today, they represent just 38 percent.
And the company acknowledged Tuesday it is looking to pare its U.S. lineup in response to the industrywide shift from cars to light trucks.
While other automakers abandon key car segments such as midsize and compact sedans, Toyota says it won't go that far. The venerable Camry and Corolla are valuable nameplates that no doubt will survive.
There are other opinions out there but here are a few candidates for the chopping block:
Yaris: U.S. sales of the subcompact car, available as a two-door or four-door hatchback, are off 38 percent this year. Demand for the two-door has slumped 78 percent. And the Yaris, a rebadged Mazda2, looks even more vulnerable now that Toyota is fielding a Corolla hatchback. Chance of survival: 5 percent.
Prius c: Toyota may further reduce the number of Prius hybrid models. The wagonlike v is already gone and the subcompact c, mildly freshened for 2018, is expected to bow out after 2018, according to some reports. Chance of Prius c survival: 0 percent.
86: The 86 sport coupe, formerly the Scion FR-S, is a product of a joint program with Subaru, which builds the 86 alongside the similar Subaru BRZ in Japan. But Toyota is also partnering with BMW to resurrect the Supra coupe, and it's unlikely Toyota will field two sport coupes over time. Also, the 86 is long in the tooth for a sport coupe. It debuted in 2013 and needs a major freshening. Toyota and Subaru have squabbled on how to evolve the car. Chance of survival: 0 percent.
Avalon: U.S. sales of large cars are in a slump -- down 18 percent this year -- and Ford and Hyundai plan to abandon the segment altogether. But Avalon sales are up 4 percent this year and the case for the car's future is mixed if other automakers leave the segment. Chance of survival: 75 percent.
