Toyota to Discontinue Venza Crossover
#1
Toyota to Discontinue Venza Crossover
I don't know if this was posted but just in case it wasn't...
Toyota to Discontinue Venza Crossover
http://www.autonews.com/article/2015...ction-of-venza
Quote:
Toyota Motor Corp. is pulling the plug on the Venza crossover, a vehicle the automaker once touted as engineered in America for American buyers.
The Venza shares its underpinnings with the Toyota Camry, the country’s best-selling car. Venza had a solid first year in 2009, but its sales have mainly trended downward since then and last year totaled just 29,991 units — about as many as Camrys as Toyota sells in a single month.
The crossover is made at Toyota’s massive plant in Georgetown, Ky., but production will cease for U.S.-market vehicles in June, the company said in a statement. Production of Venzas for export will end in September 2017.
The move comes as the Georgetown plant gears up to begin building the Lexus ES sedan later this year. The ES will be the first Lexus assembled in the U.S. and is sure to hit much higher production figures than the Venza. Georgetown also produces the Camry, the Avalon large sedan and their hybrid variants. The plant employs 7,300 people.
Engineered at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Venza was intended to give the automaker a midsize crossover that offered buyers the space and versatility of an SUV but with a more wagonlike profile. It was hailed as a product of a U.S. engineering operation steeped in American automotive taste.
“It’s a good car but was never a stellar feller,” said David Griffith, owner of a Toyota dealership in The Dalles, Ore.
Toyota sold 54,410 Venzas in 2009, a peak it never regained. In January, Toyota sold just 2,105 Venzas.
Toyota to Discontinue Venza Crossover
http://www.autonews.com/article/2015...ction-of-venza
Quote:
Toyota Motor Corp. is pulling the plug on the Venza crossover, a vehicle the automaker once touted as engineered in America for American buyers.
The Venza shares its underpinnings with the Toyota Camry, the country’s best-selling car. Venza had a solid first year in 2009, but its sales have mainly trended downward since then and last year totaled just 29,991 units — about as many as Camrys as Toyota sells in a single month.
The crossover is made at Toyota’s massive plant in Georgetown, Ky., but production will cease for U.S.-market vehicles in June, the company said in a statement. Production of Venzas for export will end in September 2017.
The move comes as the Georgetown plant gears up to begin building the Lexus ES sedan later this year. The ES will be the first Lexus assembled in the U.S. and is sure to hit much higher production figures than the Venza. Georgetown also produces the Camry, the Avalon large sedan and their hybrid variants. The plant employs 7,300 people.
Engineered at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Venza was intended to give the automaker a midsize crossover that offered buyers the space and versatility of an SUV but with a more wagonlike profile. It was hailed as a product of a U.S. engineering operation steeped in American automotive taste.
“It’s a good car but was never a stellar feller,” said David Griffith, owner of a Toyota dealership in The Dalles, Ore.
Toyota sold 54,410 Venzas in 2009, a peak it never regained. In January, Toyota sold just 2,105 Venzas.
#2
Lexus Fanatic
On some other forums, Venza owners have complained about poor fit/finish, a cheap, poorly-done interior and an stiff ride from the overly-large wheels/tires. I didn't think the interior materials and fit/finish were bad at all (better than some other Toyota products), but they have a point with the wheels/tires, which are also rather expensive to replace. I don't know what Toyota was thinking when they made the 19 and 20-inchers standard...buyers of this class of vehicle usually aren't looking for that. That problem could have been solved relatively simply and inexpensively....a simple tire/wheel change and reprogramming of the speedometer/odometer sensors. That would probably increase its sales-appeal. But they chose to ax the vehicle instead.....Go Figure.
And, with Honda doing the same thing to the Crosstour (whose main problem could also have been solved with a little body/glass retooling in the rear, lessening or eliminating the droop-roof). Now, the Subaru Outback will probably have the lower-priced market for this type of vehicle all to itself, with no competition, which is not good (the similiar Audi All-Road and Volvo XC-70 are in a higher price-class)...and I say that as an Outback fan myself.
And, with Honda doing the same thing to the Crosstour (whose main problem could also have been solved with a little body/glass retooling in the rear, lessening or eliminating the droop-roof). Now, the Subaru Outback will probably have the lower-priced market for this type of vehicle all to itself, with no competition, which is not good (the similiar Audi All-Road and Volvo XC-70 are in a higher price-class)...and I say that as an Outback fan myself.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-18-15 at 10:02 AM.
#3
On some other forums, Venza owners have complained about poor fit/finish, a cheap, poorly-done interior and an stiff ride from the overly-large wheels/tires. I didn't think the interior materials and fit/finish were bad at all (better than some other Toyota products), but they have a point with the wheels/tires, which are also rather expensive to replace. I don't know what Toyota was thinking when they made the 19 and 20-inchers standard...buyers of this class of vehicle usually aren't looking for that. That problem could have been solved relatively simply and inexpensively....a simple tire/wheel change and reprogramming of the speedometer/odomteer sensors. That would probably increase its sales-appeal. But they chose to ax the vehicle instead.....Go Figure.
And, with Honda doing the same thing to the Crosstour (whose main problem could also have been solved with a little body/glass retooling in the rear, lessening or eliminating the droop-roof). Now, the Subaru Outback will probably have the lower-priced market for this type of vehicle all to itself, with no competition, which is not good (the Audi All-Road and Volvo XC-70 are in a higher price-class)...and I say that as an Outback fan myself.
And, with Honda doing the same thing to the Crosstour (whose main problem could also have been solved with a little body/glass retooling in the rear, lessening or eliminating the droop-roof). Now, the Subaru Outback will probably have the lower-priced market for this type of vehicle all to itself, with no competition, which is not good (the Audi All-Road and Volvo XC-70 are in a higher price-class)...and I say that as an Outback fan myself.
I test drove a Venza with 20" tires.Very noisy on the highway too.
#7
Lexus Fanatic
The interior of the Venza is bad. It looks good from afar but cheap hollow materials and poor fit and finish does not make the Venza stand out.
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#8
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
not a great vehicle. not very roomy. heavy. not special really. not going to be missed.
#9
Keeping it Real
iTrader: (1)
I don't think I've seen a single Toyota with worse fit and finish than the Venza. The odd gaps between panels (especially the vents and the dash) on the first few years were horrible. They got slightly better, but it's really not a very amazing car. Not really surprised by this.
Jeff
Jeff
#10
Lexus Fanatic
I don't think I've seen a single Toyota with worse fit and finish than the Venza. The odd gaps between panels (especially the vents and the dash) on the first few years were horrible. They got slightly better, but it's really not a very amazing car. Not really surprised by this.
Jeff
Jeff
#11
Lexus Fanatic
I too was incredibly underwhelmed by the Venza I drove.
#12
Lexus Champion
When I was looking at the previous gen Highlander, there was a loaded Venza in the showroom--it was more expensive than an equivalent Highlander, yet less practical. It wasn't a bad car, but overpriced in a wagon-averse market.
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