Toyota Finally Axes Solara Convertible

11/06/2009 | By: Colum Wood 10 Comments

Toyota has finally made the decision to stop producing the Solara Convertible. It’s not likely to be missed.

The Coupe model was discontinued last summer (in case you hadn’t noticed), but Toyota decided to keep up convertible production as there were no other drop-top models in the entire company’s vehicle lineup.

A few months later in December of ’08, Toyota then decided to pause production of the Camry-based vehicle, but retained its spot in the lineup, expecting a resurgence in sales for the summer of ’09. That never happened.

“I think there was some hope that eventually during the spring/summer months the market would bear a need,” said company spokesman Rick Hesterberg to Ward’s Auto. “We kept the tooling, just waiting to see, but that never came to fruition.”

The original Solara first came to market in 2000 and a second-generation of the car began for 2005. In that year Toyota sold almost 50,000 Solara models. Demand dropped to 40,000 in ’06, with 30,000 in ’07 and just over 20,000 in 2008.

The Solara Convertible is just the latest drop top to leave the market and is likely to be missed about as much as the PT Cruiser Convertible and Pontiac G6 Convertible. Other models that will bow out this year are the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky and Honda S2000.

Is the Sebring Convertible next?

[Source: WardsAuto]

More Auto News...

Subaru BRZ Roadster Under Consideration

Toyota Planning iQ Cabriolet

Toyota’s Spams Twitter in Latest Social Media Campaign

Win a Camry by Watching Toyota’s “Connections” Super Bowl Ad

Discussion

John a

Well, I have a 2003 Soara convertible and I love it. I think many of us will miss this car- a reliable, comfortable, near-luxury, 4 passenger, open-topped touring car. Where are the alternatives????
June 11th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

Brian

I agree, the Solara was one of my favorite toyotas at one point. But the rumors were all true, so I guess its goodbye ):
June 11th, 2009 at 9:47 pm

ken mitchell

What does Toyota expect? They have never advertised the Solara so most of those sales were “word of mouth” types!
September 7th, 2009 at 5:05 pm

Jerry Johnson

I have an 06 solara convertible and i love the car. I for one would buy a new one if i could. 60k plus and runs great.
September 26th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

Jan D

I still have my 2001 Solara Convertible w/218,000 miles and it runs great. Yesterday, a 2008 Solara Conv became avail to me through a friend of a friend, and I am considering buying it. I was so disappointed when they discontinued the model. It is a great little car, my all time favorite of cars I’ve had over the last 30 yrs. I find it hard to believe that anyone would knock it.
April 21st, 2010 at 12:30 am

Bruce

I for one am terribly disapointed that Toyota has discontinued the production of the Solara convertible, I was hoping to either purchase or lease one for my wifes’ birthday this year, we both loved this vehicle.
June 10th, 2010 at 8:58 am

Wanda

I’m disappointed that the solara was discontinue, what are toyota going to replace the solara with. They have to beat the honda accord coupe.
September 1st, 2010 at 4:33 pm

Jonathan

We are very dissappointed the solara convertible is no longer made. Wife got one in 05 & loved it. She recently totaled it, and so we are looking to get a good used one (since new is not an option). No other convertible is as roomy (we have 2 kids). And the Sebring is not a good car (& is ugly).
September 19th, 2010 at 9:52 pm

MARYANN

I have owned 3 Solara’s over the last 10 years, choosing to upgrade to the newest model every 3 years. I currently own a 2006 Solara Coupe. I only have 24,000 miles on it, and I love everything about it. I would like to buy a new car, but I am partial to Toyota; unfortunately they do not currently have anything on the market that I like. I hate SUV’s, and hate mini van’s even more. I want something that is sporty, but without the Solara in their line-up I guess I will have to go with another manufacturer. Listen up Toyota; there are a lot of people out there who do not have children (myself included) who want a nice sporty, good-looking vehicle like the Solara. Please come up with something comparable, or at the very least, start producing the Solara again.
October 15th, 2010 at 11:21 am

Karen

I agree with everyone above – it was a major mistake to stop production on the convertible version of this car. Advertising failed miserably. It’s a luxury vehicle at a great price; it gets 31 MPG – OMG!!!, and I can not tell you how many compliments I’ve received for the style alone – both inside the US, and in Europe – everyone LOVES it…BIG mistake. Many of us wanted to upgrade!!!
November 29th, 2010 at 8:45 pm