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.