LA Preview: Toyota set to debut 2011 Sienna minivan

Soccer moms, NASCAR dads and empty-nesters rejoice! It looks like Toyota is going to debut its 2011 Sienna minivan in Cali next month at the 2009 LA Auto Show. Although the minivan market doesn't get a lot of playtime on enthusiast websites, the segment remains an important (if shrinking) one for full-line manufacturers. While Toyota's past minivans have ranged from the bizarrely interesting (Previa) to the drab but competent (current Sienna), word has it Toyota plans to introduce a van that will once again make it the segment's top choice.
No specifics have been released, but we've previously heard that the new Sienna would be shifting to the MC platform that Toyota uses for the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Venza and even the Prius. Personally we're hoping for a lower, wider track, luxury vehicle with an available hybrid model. That, or something like the JDM Alphard/Vellfire we saw at SEMA. We'll have all the details and a bunch of live shots on December 2 when we see it at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but in the meantime, you can check out Toyota's brief press release after the jump.

[Source: Toyota]

PRESS RELEASE:

All-New Third-Generation Toyota Sienna to Make World Debut at 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

TORRANCE, Calif., November 9, 2009 - - Toyota will stage the world premiere of the all-new 2011 Sienna minivan at a press conference at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The press conference will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10:35 a.m. at the Toyota exhibit space in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website.

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