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End of the road for Camry Solara Convertible

End of the road for Camry Solara Convertible

James Martinez June 10th, 2009 James Martinez By James Martinez Author June 10th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 While production of the Camry Solara Coupe has already bowed out, we can confirm today that the more expensive Solara Convertible won’t be produced anymore either due to flagging sales in the midsize convertible market. However, existing stockpiles will see the car in showrooms for at least the next two years but there are no plans for a replacement. This means that the new Lexus IS C drop-top will eventually be the most affordable Toyota/Lexus convertible in the North American market. Speaking with Ward’s Auto, Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing spokesman Rick Hesterberg said there were no plans to restart production of the Camry Solara convertible, which was last built in December 2008. “I think there was some hope that eventually during the spring/summer months the market would bear a need,” he said. “We kept the tooling, just waiting to see, but that never came to fruition.” This is just the latest in a spate of convertible model cuts, which include the Honda S2000, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and Pontiac G6 and Solstice convertibles. Some midsize convertibles still on sale include the Chrysler Sebring, Ford Mustang, and Volkswagen Eos convertibles. Filling the void at the Georgetown, Kentucky plant where the Solara Convertible was built will be increased production of the Toyota Venza crossover.
Toyota has enough inventory to keep selling the car for at least another two years but no replacement is planned

Toyota has enough inventory to keep selling the car for at least another two years but no replacement is planned

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While production of the Camry Solara Coupe has already bowed out, we can confirm today that the more expensive Solara Convertible won’t be produced anymore either due to flagging sales in the midsize convertible market. However, existing stockpiles will see the car in showrooms for at least the next two years but there are no plans for a replacement. This means that the new Lexus IS C drop-top will eventually be the most affordable Toyota/Lexus convertible in the North American market.

Speaking with Ward’s Auto, Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing spokesman Rick Hesterberg said there were no plans to restart production of the Camry Solara convertible, which was last built in December 2008. “I think there was some hope that eventually during the spring/summer months the market would bear a need,” he said. “We kept the tooling, just waiting to see, but that never came to fruition.”

This is just the latest in a spate of convertible model cuts, which include the Honda S2000, Chrysler PT Cruiser, and Pontiac G6 and Solstice convertibles. Some midsize convertibles still on sale include the Chrysler Sebring, Ford Mustang, and Volkswagen Eos convertibles.

Filling the void at the Georgetown, Kentucky plant where the Solara Convertible was built will be increased production of the Toyota Venza crossover.

Tags: Toyota Camry Solara Convertible

Posted in: 2009, Toyota, News, Convertible, Camry, Camry Solara


Comments (6 total)

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  1. ma_G-Man avatar by G-Man #1, Posted: 6/10/2009

    No loss what an ugly Toyota along with the Venza I assumed the Venza was the replacment for the Solara in the Camry lineup along with the Avalon bows out for 09 or 010 so they just need to bring back the Celica or the Corolla hatch.

  2. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #2, Posted: 6/10/2009

    No loss what an ugly Toyota along with the Venza I assumed the Venza was the replacment for the Solara in the Camry lineup along with the Avalon bows out for 09 or 010 so they just need to bring back the Celica or the Corolla hatch.

    How is the crossover Venza a replacement for the 2 door Solara?

  3. ma_Aiman avatar by Aiman #3, Posted: 6/10/2009

    Glad to hear that. Roads will be less ugly with the demise of this car.

    P.S.
    I don't seem to understand why can't Toyota design a desirable car?

  4. ma_Jim avatar by Jim #4, Posted: 6/11/2009

    "I don't seem to understand why can't Toyota design a desirable car?"

    The 11th law of automotive manufacturing: Though shalt only be good at sculpting sheet metal or engineering quality.

    Hence the Italian and Brits vs. the Japanese and the Germans (looked at a BMW lately?)

  5. By gina #5, Posted: 9/19/2009

    I cannot understand anyone thinking this car is ugly. I drive a black on black and it's a fine looking car. I've never had a minutes trouble from it just like all the other Toyotas I have ever had.

  6. By  Arlene #6, Posted: 10/21/2009

    We have 2 2008 Solara convertibles and love them. They provide the dependability of a Toyota, the fun of a convertible - and they look great!

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