Filed under: Car Buying, Convertibles, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Supercars, Lexus, Toyota
Lexus cancels next-gen SC, Toyota cancels next Avalon
Sales of the bulbous Lexus SC 430, one of the vehicles that kick-started the current hardtop convertible fad in the U.S., have slowed so significantly that Toyota's luxury brand has reportedly canceled its replacement. The four-place, V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicle never fit well into any specific niche, as it boasted neither the sportiness of the ragtop Jaguar XK and Porsche 911, nor the snob appeal of the BMW 6 Series. Through the first six months of this year, Lexus sold only 1,230 SC's, down 40% from last year. What fans the Lexus sport coupes/convertible does have need not worry, however, as the brand will be launching the much more potent (and substantially more impressive) LF-A supercar at some point in the future.
According to Inside Line, the SC isnt the only Toyota product without a future. The Avalon entry-level
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Paul H. 9:51AM (7/12/2008)
Awesome, a Camry limo. Just what I always wanted!
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styleguy 10:09AM (7/12/2008)
Yes, that would be great. Especially if your 55+ and already ordered a custom soft-top roof for it.
Buick beware! LOL
Torrent 3:20PM (7/12/2008)
The SC never really was attractive, especially at it's price and with it's backseat so small that you had to dislocate your limbs just to get in, Good Riddance.
Maybe now they'll bring in the LF-A?
Toyota would have a convertible, but not Lexus? Seems out of balance to me.
As for the Avalon, they should probably keep it. It's a really well thought out car.....But on the other hand, Honda made the Accord-a Camry and Avalon beater, so canceling the Avalon may be a smart choice if they want to make the Camry a Class-Leader once again.
Tim 8:58PM (7/12/2008)
I think it will be closer to the Toyota aurion in Australia which is also the Camry in Asia outside japan.
http://www.toyota.com.au/aurion
Xcountryflyer 9:33PM (7/13/2008)
The original SC was an excellent coupe, the replacement was horrible from day one. They had such an opportunity to build on the first generation and then turned it into a boulevard cruiser. Surprised the Avalon is getting axed. Are they going to have two versions of the Camry? Like the BMW 7-Series L and non-L versions? It was best Buick out there!
010111 9:40AM (7/14/2008)
"Toyota would have a convertible, but not Lexus? Seems out of balance to me."
no... what is out of balance is how it was currently. with Infiniti *lacking* a convertible and Lexus *having* a convertible. everyone knows "Lexus don't make a convertible."
with the rumored Infiniti G37 convertible... order will be FINALLY be restored.
b0nesc 9:54AM (7/12/2008)
The SC was always a chick car anyways (this generation). The previous generation was pretty hot, although it being an auto only kind of sucked.
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RCL1221 10:21AM (7/12/2008)
The previous gen SC did not only come with a slushbox.
The SC300 variant had a 5-Spd offering, although it's quite rare compared to it's automatic gearbox'd brothers.
Peter 2:54PM (7/12/2008)
I've got one of the previous gens with the 5-spd. It was only an option for early SC 300s. Later SC 300s and all the V8 400s never got them.
Johnny 9:57AM (7/12/2008)
The Avalon is pending cancelation, i don;t think it will be canceled as it is far too close to its model year production date. the SC on the other hand was a sorry assed excuse for a luxury car and i'm glad to see it go. THe Avalon was an OK car, not great, but not bad either and im sure that this car had its appeal
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JerryB 10:05AM (7/12/2008)
I've always liked the SC. It would be on my wish list if it were a little roomier and had peformance to match its stylish good looks.
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1337 10:21PM (7/12/2008)
So, in other words, you'd want an SC if it didn't suck. Count me in too on a de-suckified SC. Until then, I'll yearn for an R8.
JerryB 11:09AM (7/13/2008)
You must be one of those polarized love it or hate it people who can't appreciate degrees of quality.
Saying I'd like a little more room and power is a far cry from saying it sucks.
Jim 10:11AM (7/12/2008)
That SC crap is so fugly
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sitruc 10:33AM (7/12/2008)
I thought the Avalon being canceled was the bigger piece of news.
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PJ 8:17PM (7/12/2008)
Me too. The Avalon is the best Buick/Mercury on the market.
mk 9:34PM (7/12/2008)
@PJ...
Buick... ok.
Mercury??? You don't know what mercury is supposed to, or has in the past been. The fact that you and others think Mercury is analogous to Buick or the Avalon or the Lexus ES tyoe of vehicle, is sad. Ford has truly let Mercury down.
On the SC note... SC looked like an overturned bathtub, and not in a cool porsche-like way, but in a bland, melted sort of way. Sayonara. The G37 is a nicer looking GT coupe, and the convertible will probably be nicer, too. If Infiniti were to put the 5.0 VVEL V8 in the G coupe and forthcoming convertible, the SC would be completely toast. Even the XLR is more compelling than the SC, with two fewer seats. The Volvo C30 4-seater looks better, too.
PJ 1:06PM (7/19/2008)
Re: Mercury
They've been analogous to Buick for decades. Standard operating procedure has been to take a Ford, any Ford, and add tacky neoclassic detailing.
People often mention the tarnishing of Mercury's proud legacy, but what legacy? Ford never figured out what it wanted to do with this brand. The '67 Cougar was the only model that bucked the above business model and sold in significant numbers.
Level 5 10:50AM (7/12/2008)
...Fans of the boring unpretentious Avalon can instead look forward to an extended-length version of the Camry sedan...
Did I miss something? Isn't this in a nutshell what the current Avalon WAS? Just sort of a "highest" trim Camry with a larger body? I mean, isn't that what ALL full-size cars in most automakers line-ups are? Just a larger version of their midsize?
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P.V. 11:36AM (7/12/2008)
I think it will actually share Camry sheetmetal. I'm guessing it will be essentially like what the Aurion is to the Camry in Australia.