Toyota Camry Solara Convertible saved from Gallows Pole

...According to Steve St. Angelo, president of Toyota's Kentucky... Toyota got a lot of grief from customers and dealers who didn't want to see the drop-top swinging from the Gallow's Pole. The Hangman was supposed to come for the Solara 'Vert this month, but production has now been extended for two full years. Automotive News reports that Toyota only sold 28,479 units of the Solara Coupe and Convertible in all of 2007, and while the majority were likely 'verts, the number still seems too low to argue that demand was high enough to give it two years' worth of extra production. St. Angelo also didn't clarify if the Solara Coupe would enjoy the convertible's amnesty or not...Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/toyota-camry-solara-convertible-saved-from-gallows-pole/

So, the Venza is not going to replace the Solara, at least not the Convertible. That is surprising, given the low sales of the Solara. Could this be a new attitude at Toyota (not killing off low sales cars)?

I saw this article not long ago too. I'm surprised like you. First that people noticed the car was being axed (besides car enthusiasts). And being a low selling car that Toyota was getting grief from. Humm, odd.

And even if its low selling they're keeping it for two years! Wow. It would be really dated unless Toyota is going to cut capacity really low or just do special order. I wonder if they will invest in the Solara website (like have it up and up date it) and brochures for this or just drop that and run the inventory out?? But its peculiar they do this. To bad they didn't do this with the Celica or MR2. But i know those are lower profit margin cars.

hmm.. that means they'll have to lower the Solara's price like they did for the rest of the lineup lol.

The Solara is the only convertible in its lineup (SC notwithstanding) so I'm not sure what Toyota's plan is for the future of Toyota convertibles. 2 years is quite a bit but is there a plan in the back burner that'll only need 2 years to revive and see fruition?

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/11/toyota-camry-solara-convertible-saved-from-gallows-pole/

So, the Venza is not going to replace the Solara, at least not the Convertible. That is surprising, given the low sales of the Solara. Could this be a new attitude at Toyota (not killing off low sales cars)?

Wow honestly I'm quite surprised. Will they update anything on the car though? Seems only logical they would at least update to the 2GR?

The Solara is the only convertible in its lineup (SC notwithstanding) so I'm not sure what Toyota's plan is for the future of Toyota convertibles. 2 years is quite a bit but is there a plan in the back burner that'll only need 2 years to revive and see fruition?

I was thinking that too. A period of 2 years seems quite specific, as though Toyota has new product plans for the Georgetown plant that will take that time to come to fruition. It may only be coincidence, but if the rumours that the Avalon will be cancelled at the end of this current generation are true, that would be about the time, 2 years from now (2006 model year to 2010 model year, with the next generation -- if it were to come -- due for the 2011 model year).

Wow honestly I'm quite surprised. Will they update anything on the car though? Seems only logical they would at least update to the 2GR?

I may be dreaming, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that the 2GR would not fit in the Solara, since the Solara is based on the previous-generation (Gen5) Camry.

I was thinking that too. A period of 2 years seems quite specific, as though Toyota has new product plans for the Georgetown plant that will take that time to come to fruition. It may only be coincidence, but if the rumours that the Avalon will be cancelled at the end of this current generation are true, that would be about the time, 2 years from now (2006 model year to 2010 model year, with the next generation -- if it were to come -- due for the 2011 model year).



I may be dreaming, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that the 2GR would not fit in the Solara, since the Solara is based on the previous-generation (Gen5) Camry.
Avalon cancelled eh? Bring the Mark X! Hey, might as well since Chrysler has the 300 triplets.

But the Solara wouldn't be taking over the Avalon right? They'll need a separate vehicle for that.

I believe you did mention that a while ago, or at least I thought it was you who said it lol.

^^^Yeah the Avalon is being canceled in favor of a higher trimmed Camry. So a long wheel base Camry. No the Solara and Avalon aren't in the same class so not its not replacing anything. The Avalon is Toyota's flagship. The Solara is a "sexy" two door Camry.

Avalon cancelled eh? Bring the Mark X! Hey, might as well since Chrysler has the 300 triplets.

But the Solara wouldn't be taking over the Avalon right? They'll need a separate vehicle for that.

I believe you did mention that a while ago, or at least I thought it was you who said it lol.

^^^Yeah the Avalon is being canceled in favor of a higher trimmed Camry. So a long wheel base Camry. No the Solara and Avalon aren't in the same class so not its not replacing anything. The Avalon is Toyota's flagship. The Solara is a "sexy" two door Camry.

I am not suggesting that the Solara and the Avalon are in the same market segment, nor was I suggesting that one would be replacing the other. I was putting one rumour (the Avalon being cancelled in 2 years at the end of its current run) together with this news (the Solara's run being extended for another 2 years) and speculating that Toyota is planning to have something to take up that room on the Georgetown assembly line in 2 years.

I know nothing more than what I read. Accuse me of having an active imagination and putting 2 rumours and 2 other rumours together and imagining what may happen. Maybe I need to cut back on my speculations.

^^Then what the heck were you suggesting?! :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Just kidding.

LOL. That's okay, we'll let it go for now.
I was responding to Tideland Prius in that he implied the Solara would replace the Avalon but maybe I misread what he was trying to say.

At least for the U.S. the Avalon came out in 05 so that would mean if a new Avalon were to come out it would be next year as a 2010. Unless Toyota is going to run the model years longer until the next gen Camry comes out and then they come out with a long wheel base Camry. That would be interesting. I think not only they making a long wheel base Camry for sales sake but the Camry like most cars has been growing and it gets to a certain point you either replace the car with a different one or get rid of it. Or keep it. I don't know. Obviously I know Toyota is not going to get rid of the Camry name, that's their darling.

Wait. They still make the Solara?

Wait. They still make the Solara?

Yep! Before they announced axing it but I guess they're going to run it out longer.

Yeah sorry guys. My response was a bit off lol.

im glad it sticks around for a while...the dealership i work for tends to move a few of these a month, and the owners LOVE them.
my mom has a 2007 solara sport convertable and she loves it to death....she also loved her old 2001 solara SE convertable as well...theyve been great cars to us, and i can say from experince a summers night is much more enjoyable going topless in a solara.

im glad it sticks around for a while...the dealership i work for tends to move a few of these a month, and the owners LOVE them.
my mom has a 2007 solara sport convertable and she loves it to death....she also loved her old 2001 solara SE convertable as well...theyve been great cars to us, and i can say from experince a summers night is much more enjoyable going topless in a solara.

I don't need the Solara. I can go topless in my Camry family car (as long as my wife does not catch me!). :D:D:D