Toyota Finally Axes Solara Convertible
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]
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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I have a 2000 Toyota Solara with 240,000 miles. It still runs like its new. We barley get problems. it has good power and pick up with it v4 engine. the seat are made out of cloth which feels like a bed. it has nice speakers JBL fine bass and u can easily hear the song. the 2000 design is nicer then the 2007. if they haven't messed up on the 2007 design then they would still make Solara's. But I would say that the Toyota solara is the best car that Toyota has made. it should be 2nd place on the best car list.
Colum Wood, what are you smokin! I've never met anyone who didn't like the Solara Conv.