Lexus cancels next-gen SC, Toyota cancels next Avalon
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Apathy Kills
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: The Left Lane
Lexus cancels next-gen SC, Toyota cancels next Avalon
Filed under: Car Buying, Convertibles, Coupes, Sedans/Saloons, Supercars, Lexus, Toyota
Sales of the bulbous Lexus SC 430, one of the vehicles that kick-started the current hardtop convertible fad in the U.S., have slowed so significantly that Toyota's luxury brand has reportedly canceled its replacement. The four-place, V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicle never fit well into any specific niche, as it boasted neither the sportiness of the ragtop Jaguar XK and Porsche 911, nor the snob appeal of the BMW 6 Series. Through the first six months of this year, Lexus sold only 1,230 SC's, down 40% from last year. What fans the Lexus sport coupes/convertible does have need not worry, however, as the brand will be launching the much more potent (and substantially more impressive) LF-A supercar at some point in the future.
According to Inside Line, the SC isnt the only Toyota product without a future. The Avalon entry-level Buick luxury sedan is also on the chopping block. Fans of the boring unpretentious Avalon can instead look forward to an extended-length version of the Camry sedan to take its spot in Toyota's U.S. lineup.
Gallery: 2007 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition
[Source: Inside Line]
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Sales of the bulbous Lexus SC 430, one of the vehicles that kick-started the current hardtop convertible fad in the U.S., have slowed so significantly that Toyota's luxury brand has reportedly canceled its replacement. The four-place, V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive vehicle never fit well into any specific niche, as it boasted neither the sportiness of the ragtop Jaguar XK and Porsche 911, nor the snob appeal of the BMW 6 Series. Through the first six months of this year, Lexus sold only 1,230 SC's, down 40% from last year. What fans the Lexus sport coupes/convertible does have need not worry, however, as the brand will be launching the much more potent (and substantially more impressive) LF-A supercar at some point in the future.
According to Inside Line, the SC isnt the only Toyota product without a future. The Avalon entry-level Buick luxury sedan is also on the chopping block. Fans of the boring unpretentious Avalon can instead look forward to an extended-length version of the Camry sedan to take its spot in Toyota's U.S. lineup.
Gallery: 2007 Lexus SC 430 Pebble Beach Edition
[Source: Inside Line]
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I missed Sean
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,285
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From: Fairfield/Bridgeport CT
The SC had it's place in time- I think that the appeal was always shallowly laid in the hard-top design which has obviously been watered down over time due to overwhelming competition. I mean even VW has one now-
As for the Avalon- it's about as ancient as the people who tend to buy it. I think most of them would be perfectly content with an extended Camry
Overall I think these lean-cuts are worth it vs. ending up with a Ford or GM model listing of a million overlapping cars
As for the Avalon- it's about as ancient as the people who tend to buy it. I think most of them would be perfectly content with an extended Camry
Overall I think these lean-cuts are worth it vs. ending up with a Ford or GM model listing of a million overlapping cars