[WikiEN-l] Wikipedia misinformation, revisited

Tue Sep 6 14:03:27 UTC 2005

On 9/5/05, Daniel P. B. Smith <dpbsmith at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> Back in June, I complained that a little particle of misinformation
> from Wikipedia had gotten lodged in my brain, and might potentially
> have affected my car-purchasing decision. Specifically, I was
> referring to an article that characterized the Toyota Echo, as a
> "flop" in the U.S. whose sales had tanked in 2004 and was due to be
> discontinued--despite continuing success in many other countries,
> including Canada.
> 
> I challenged this, and Michael Turley responded that "The Echo is a
> failure, and is being discontinued." He referenced http://
> www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0501/14/B02-58761.htm<http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0501/14/B02-58761.htm>which indeed
> says "Toyota to pull compact Echo from lineup in '06"
> 
> Yet I just got my October 2005 copy of Consumer Reports, and right
> there on page 14 the Toyota Echo is billed among the "New and
> Notable: Cars to Watch in 2006-2007." They say "It should continue as
> a fuel-efficient small car... Small cars often grow with redesigns so
> you may see a longer, wider Echo and possibly a hatchback version."
> 
> So, just what's going on? I'm not really complaining about Wikipedia
> here, since what it says is backed up by "The Detroit News Auto
> Insider," but if the Echo is being replaced by an improved Echo--
> that's not exactly my idea of a "flop" that's been "discontinued."
> 
> By that measure, every refreshing of a car model line could be
> described as a "flop."

It now looks like we have sources who disagree. 

AutoWeek 8/22/05: (http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102996)

*"Echo:* This underachieving subcompact sedan gets replaced by the 
European-market Yaris this fall. The Echo name will be retired, but it is 
not known what name will be used. A sedan and a five-door hatchback will be 
offered. This 2006 vehicle likely will be powered by a 1.5-liter engine 
developing about 110 hp."

I don't know who is right, but AutoWeek is usually a very reliable source of 
upcoming model changes in my experience. 

-- 
Michael Turley
User:Unfocused