Latest news on Avensis from Cars also Bikes!

[Konrad C]

I got a notification from the Avensis club on Facebook on the following: http://carsalsobikes.com/2016/10/15/axe-hovering-toyotas-avensis/

It has been mentioned on the forum that Toyota may not make a replacement for the current Avensis, which is understandable due to the shrinking market sector.

Now being a owner of the estate version, I will look at the Auris Touring Sport, if and when I come to change the car. It is close in size to what I require. The car must be able to hold my 26" wheel folding bike in the boot, with the seats up and the covers on. My Mk1 did this with ease, and I could carry 4 passengers. My current car also does it even better. 

The other choice could be the RAV4.

Hybrid is a great possibility as a replacement, and both models come with one in their line-up.

My beef with the Auris is the 1.6 engine and gearing. My Avensis has the 1.8 Vmatic and well geared manual. The 1.6 Vmatic in the Auris is slightly weaker, and the gear ratios are shorter. I would prefer my engine and gearbox in the Auris body. More torque and relaxed motorway cruising. The other option is the 1.2T which fixes the torque and gearing issue, but will it be reliable having the turbo?

I have a few years to decide, and will know which car I will go for.

It will be sad if and when Avensis goes, unless the name is used in a people carrier (Verso) type vehicle.

[FROSTYBALLS]

In 2015, when the facelifted Avensis was launched, Toyota were saying the Avensis may not have a future past 2018, and Toyota have also said that Brexit may affect their investment in the UK after current plans, which extend to 2020.

The market for large MPV's is also shrinking and Toyota have been there before with the Avensis Verso and Previa.

Toyota have another issue with their larger cars, which is the end of their manufacturing in Australia (where they build the Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion) by the end of 2017. 

So they may need to source production for both the Australian and European markets for this market sector from another location.

As regards large MPV's, Toyota have followed what some others have done (PSA, Hyundai, VAG, possibly Skoda, etc) and used their light commercial vehicle as a basis for an MPV - the Proace Verso.

So that may be a possibility for you. And there is also the Hilux.

[thom1983]

Really hope they keep the avensis on, would be a shame

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FROSTYBALLS]

Looking at Toyota's UK sales figures for passenger vehicles, Avensis annual sales have been fairly constant at around 5,200-5,400 since and including 2013. Sales for Jan 2016 to Sept 2016 inclusive are 4,698.

The Avensis is Toyota's fourth best seller in the UK, behind the Yaris (1st), Aygo (2nd), and Auris (3rd) - figures include hybrid sales for the Yaris and Auris.

Toyota have previously said that 85% of the production at Burnaston is exported.

[Heidfirst]

Looks like they stole or syndicated the article from http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/avensis/97359/axe-hovering-over-toyotas-avensis

This year's annual European sales for Avensis look to be heading for ~30,000. Unfortunately I don't know the breakdown for sales saloon v estate  - the article mentions the saloon only & in this class the estates make a large % of sales.

If they follow the current trend then the replacement (if there is one) would be a crossover.