Toyota has "no plans" to restart Camry Solara production?

If you are in the market for a two-door Toyota convertible, you may want to rush to your local dealer and pick up one of the few Camry Solara models left on the lot. After reviewing demand for the Solara (the marque's lone convertible offering), Toyota has reportedly decided that reviving the somewhat homely two-door isn't worth doing. Last August, Toyota made a last-ditch effort to save the Solara convertible from extinction, but it was apparently a short-lived stay of execution. The droptop was put back on hiatus in December when the automotive downturn hit full force.

Since the convertible version of the Solara represented 70% of the model's sales last year, there was hope that demand would pick up closer to summer. Convertibles have been on the on the chopping block everywhere, though, as the Pontiac G6, Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice, Honda S2000, and Chrysler PT Cruiser have all been fitted for a toe tag over the past few months – Solara is merely another casualty.

Toyota will fill the void left by the subtraction of the Solara convertible at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant with the new Venza crossover. With only 23,000 units sold in 2008 and an assumed drop for 2009, we're guessing the popular new CUV will have little problem making up the shortfall. In the meantime, if you want a convertible from the Toyota family, you'll have to visit your local Lexus dealer for a new IS or SC.

[Source: Wards Auto]

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