Toyota Considers More CUVs

Although it already offers a number of cross/utility vehicles in the U.S. market, Toyota Motor Corp. may be adding more, as consumers continue to shift away from truck-based SUVs to more fuel-fficient, car-based versions.

“The trend (toward CUVs) will continue,” Jim Press, president-Toyota Motor North America, tells Ward’s in an interview. “We are evaluating a number of opportunities for (CUVs) but are not ready to discuss any specific segment.” Press stops short of confirming a rumored Lexus-badged variant of Toyota’s popular RAV4 small CUV, whose production will be shifting from Japan to a new plant in Woodstock, Ont., Canada, in 2008. Toyota already builds the Lexus RX 350 CUV at another Canadian plant, in the nearby city of Cambridge, Ont.

A recent report had Toyota discontinuing its Camry coupe model, the Solara, in favor of a Toyota-badged CUV, to be built on the Camry line in Georgetown, KY.



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EL34 - 10/24/2006 12:55:20 PM

-1 Boost

Could Solara be replaced by new CUV?

Well let's hope, because that car hit every branch falling down the ugly tree.

rocker - 10/24/2006 2:27:23 PM

0 Boost

will, didn't you say in another post that Lexus does not rebadge anymore EXCEPT the new LX? I guess someone from Toyota/Lexus did not read that post.

lexusis350 - 10/24/2006 5:55:48 PM

+2 Boost

I don't think that a Camry is a rebadged ES. Sure, they used to be but, as nice as the Camry is, it still isn't a Lexus. I think that with the L-Finesse design theory, Lexus was trying to pull away from Toyota as far as looks and designs go.

EL34 - 10/24/2006 10:24:00 PM

-1 Boost

lexusis350, the ES is a rebadged Camry because the dimensions are exactly the same and the Camry still comes with a 3 cylinder motor.

I checked yesterday.

XYZZ - 10/25/2006 8:46:25 AM

+2 Boost

i KNOW the last generation camry WAS a rebadged ES, because the ES was designed first. THEN its platform was used for the camrys.

lexusis350, are you saying with the '07s, this no longer holds true? (if it even matters)

this doesn't drag down the ES; rather it elevates the camry. it needn't have the lux trimmings of a lexus, but it CAN share the smooth V6 powertrain and the rest of the platform.

and there need be NO embarassment for ANY car to be based on a toyota -- e.g. the LX470. add leather, RELIABLE electronics, cover the logo, and any TOYOTA will STILL equal and even surpass the BEST from ANY other manufacturer, including the luxury mfgrs.

XYZZ - 10/25/2006 9:12:14 AM

+2 Boost

actually, you DON'T need to cover the logo. toyota IS respected everywhere, except by badge-whore SNOBS.

lexusis350 - 10/25/2006 5:40:33 PM

+2 Boost

EL34-
It has a four cylinder or available V6, not three cylinder.

ApexAlex-
I don't think that the ES and Camry were designed after each other. If you look at them, there is only one similarity and that is the same V6 engine. Everything else is different.

rocker - 10/24/2006 3:15:11 PM

-3 Boost

Did you support John Kerry in 2004? You are waffling pretty bad.

watisthat - 10/24/2006 3:57:34 PM

-1 Boost

rockersuckingcocker-wow an idoit but you support an Democratic Party. Thats is a good thing but one thing about u. U look like a Communist with your Rockets point at the US. Isn't that rite Will ;)

lexusis350 - 10/24/2006 5:57:53 PM

+2 Boost

I have read most of Will's comments and his comments have never wavered back and forth. There are a few on this website (S4cabriofox) who keep changing their argument and contradicting themselves.

S4cabriofox - 10/25/2006 6:44:19 PM

-1 Boost

Contradicting myself?

I have a mindset.

I don't like these Lexus models:

IS250, ES, GS, new LS, GX, SC

I am passive about the RX.

I like these Lexus models:

IS350, LX470

However, I don't see what makes Lexus so good. The definition of a luxury manufacturer is its refinement. So, therefore, because you think the German brands aren't refined, they're suddenly not luxury manufacturers? Lexus just doesn't offer any significant improvement in any area over competitors. There's one company that makes as good, if not better, interiors (Audi), equal refinement (Mercedes), and much better performance (Audi and BMW).

Reliability is just a question of how you maintain your car. Anyone whose car breaks down just doesn't treat it right. Except Land Rover. Their rear suspensions fall through at random times on the highway!

rocker - 10/24/2006 5:21:51 PM

-3 Boost

watdafukiswill, y'all have gotten me so confused. I can't tell the 2 of you apart.