Avensis future in doubt

[FROSTYBALLS]

May be replaced by Corolla - see 

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/british-built-toyota-avensis-future-doubt-due-slowing-sales

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/confidential/autocar-confidential-honda-cr-v-faces-competition-dying-breeds-future-toyota

[Berengaria]

Not surprising given that using an Avensis (T27) is about as much fun as listening to a Jim Reeves album on repeat.

 

[Cyker]

Well people don't buy Toyotas for their fun factor! Quite the opposite if you think about it - We want cars that WON'T give us the fun of breaking down on a Smart Motorway at rushhour for instance XD
Although in its defence the Avensis is a nicer car to be in and drive than a lot of the other models.

I think one reason for declining sales is Toyota's USP is hybrid-tech, and the Avensis is one of the only main models that doesn't have a HSD variant.

Also, it's a victim of the upsizing I mention in lots of threads - It's basically been usurped by the Prius and Auris which have grown into the same class over the years.

[FROSTYBALLS]

The Prius and the Corolla saloon have the same size wheelbase as the Avensis (2700mm) - the Prius is currently the hybrid alternative to the Avensis - but the Auris, both the first and second generations, have shorter wheelbases (2600mm).

[Berengaria]

Not advocating headonism, but a little more dynamism in the driving experience is essential. One can only take so much blandness in return for a promise of reliability. In fact, there are equally as reliable far eastern offerings out there that are as reliable, cheaper and better to drive from Hyundai, Kia and Suzuki. Not even taxi drivers want to buy them now - they're all going for the hybrids.

Agree that both the car and interior looks good,  but the interior materials feature a lot of poor quality scratchy plastics - the silver painted trim and the inner door sills for starters.

 

 

 

[Heidfirst]

1 hour ago, Berengaria said:

Not advocating headonism, but a little more dynamism in the driving experience is essential. One can only take so much blandness in return for a promise of reliability. In fact, there are equally as reliable far eastern offerings out there that are as reliable, cheaper and better to drive from Hyundai, Kia and Suzuki. Not even taxi drivers want to buy them now - they're all going for the hybrids.

Agree that both the car and interior looks good,  but the interior materials feature a lot of poor quality scratchy plastics - the silver painted trim and the inner door sills for starters.

Have you tried a 2015> Avensis? Improved in both driving experience & interior materials. I see increasing amounts of T27s used as private hire cars in & around Glasgow.

I thought that it was pretty much a done deal that the Avensis would not be directly replaced (same as in the US they dropped the Avensa)?

Imo the problem for the Avensis is three-fold - the rapid decline in that market sector (there are even rumours that Ford will drop the Mondeo), the lack of a hatchback & for the fleet market the lack of good diesels (which still make sense for high mileage drivers, the BMW engine seems to not have been an improvement on AD except that T didn't have to develop an SCR system) without at least a hybrid alternative. Of course fleet sales don't make much profit individually but they do help you make more profit on other sales by ameliorating development, tooling etc. costs.

[Devon Aygo]

Decision has already been made, no new factory build orders are being taken, production ends next month and the only options left are 1.6 & 2.0 Business Editions, this was announced to UK dealers last month.

No news on any form of replacement and with Avensis off the line Toyota can up the production numbers on current Auris temporarily to build up a stock in preparation for the production line being converted to handle the new TGNA based Auris which will start production later this year.