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Toyota has "no plans" to restart Camry Solara production?
If you are in the market for a two-door Toyota convertible, you may want to rush to your local dealer and pick up one of the few Camry Solara models left on the lot. After reviewing demand for the Solara (the marque's lone convertible offering), Toyota has reportedly decided that reviving the somewhat homely two-door isn't worth doing. Last August, Toyota made a last-ditch effort to save the Solara convertible from extinction, but it was apparently a short-lived stay of execution. The droptop was put back on hiatus in December when the automotive downturn hit full force.
Since the convertible version of the Solara represented 70% of the model's sales last year, there was hope that demand would pick up closer to summer. Convertibles have been on the on the chopping block everywhere, though, as the Pontiac G6, Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice, Honda S2000, and Chrysler PT Cruiser have all been fitted for a toe tag over the past few months – Solara is merely another casualty.
Toyota will fill the void left by the subtraction of the Solara convertible at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant with the new Venza crossover. With only 23,000 units sold in 2008 and an assumed drop for 2009, we're guessing the popular new CUV will have little problem making up the shortfall. In the meantime, if you want a convertible from the Toyota family, you'll have to visit your local Lexus dealer for a new IS or SC.
[Source: Wards Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
efmvii 11:02AM (6/11/2009)
Secretaries - Hurry!
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zamafir 11:19AM (6/11/2009)
it's ok, they've been buying the 128.
Rev 2:55PM (6/11/2009)
Oh well, the secretaries can easily move over to the Accord sedan without much fuss.
Tomato, tomatoe...
ChaoZ 11:03AM (6/11/2009)
So rarely do you see a Solara with the top down in these parts you wonder why the owners even bought a convertible.
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Sofa King Fast! 11:04AM (6/11/2009)
Good riddance
What an ugly car.
Every time I see one I feel like yelling "dude, you're driving a camry - it's not cool!"
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Ligor 12:48PM (6/11/2009)
+1
uglies car of all time nominee
PiCASSO 1:13PM (6/11/2009)
The long sailboat rear end really makes me question what the designers were thinking when requesting design approval from management. Then again, I question management's decision of letting this 2-door whale into production.
UCJR 11:07AM (6/11/2009)
Seeing a Camry Solara (or a Solara, or whatever they call them now) with its top down is like seeing a homely-cute girl with a flat chest at Mardi Gras. You look when the shirt comes off, but only out of being polite.
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jon 11:34AM (6/11/2009)
LMAO that may be the most perfect description of any car in history!!!
M3IO 11:38AM (6/11/2009)
polite like not laughing when you see a guy with a huge ego's little dick? how polite is your statement? man gotta love the car industry sometimes.
BrianFL 1:41PM (6/11/2009)
My neighbor down the street actually has 2 of these things!! He is also the Condo Commando enforcer here. God i hate that douchebag.
216 11:07AM (6/11/2009)
How does the Venza replace the Solara? 2 Different vehicles completely (even tho I like the Venza)
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Eric77TA 11:14AM (6/11/2009)
Both the Solara and the Venza are Camry based, so I'd assume can be made on the same line. The Venza will take up the production capacity from the Solara - not its place in the Toyota lineup.
JZeke 11:30AM (6/11/2009)
I think its an empty-nester thing. Boomers are getting older (duh) and losing interest in the ragtop and gaining interest in multi-use vehicles that are still somewhat "cool" yet not full on geriatric like a minivan, or too-tall to get into like an SUV.
Jared 11:09AM (6/11/2009)
Losing the Solara is not exactly a great loss.
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Avinash machado 11:17AM (6/11/2009)
JDM Life must be mourning already.
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zamafir 11:21AM (6/11/2009)
zing!
Jared 11:28AM (6/11/2009)
ROFLMAO
ds 11:18AM (6/11/2009)
To their credit, it's only the second ugliest vert Toyota & co makes.
SC - ouch!
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MemphisNET 11:21AM (6/11/2009)
Leave the poor pumpkin alone :D