RXSF

as a concept, it was a good idea. Make the highlander a 3 row crossover, and then slot a smaller SUV underneath. However, it has a hideous non Toyota resembling grill/front end and also had a cheap looking and feeling interior. People like SUVs with a lower step height but this was just a half *** attempt. I wonder if they will replace it with another 5 passenger CUV

mmarshall

Even with the ES's relatively high demand as one of the best-selling Lexus products, present production seems to meet demand. Of course, it's nice to have the added capacity if they really need it. One thing, however.....if the planned suspension changes on the new 2016 Avalon next year increase demand (as I suspect it will), the added capacity might be better used for Avalons.

Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

Still does better than the Honda Crosstour.

Toyota Venza
2008: 1,474
2009: 54,410
2010: 47,321
2011: 38,904
2012: 43,095
2013: 35,846
2014: 29,991

Honda Crosstour
2009: 2,564
2010: 28,851
2011: 17,974
2012: 20,848
2013: 16,847
2014: 11,802

mmarshall

Quality-wise, the Crosstour is an excellent machine, but the stylists really blew it with that droop-rear roofline that compromises much of the cargo area and outward visibility.....that cost it sales. I said so at the time that the Crosstour first came out, and still believe, that Honda should have used the nice wagon body that was found on the Acura TSX Sportwagon.

spwolf

it is likely a lot more profitable for them to build Highlander than Venza... as simple as that. Probably also trying to reduce showroom vehicles plus it is afterall its 7th year on the market... it was time for it either to get all new version or to die off.

Toys4RJill

I still do t how those numbers are not worth it. There are Lexus cars and Scion models that don't amount to those sales and the transaction price is pretty high on a Venza.

spwolf

keep in mind it is not about if they keep producing it , but rather if they invest several hundred million into new one - which they wont do since Highlander is starved for production, and has significantly higher profit margins than Venza.

Venza is 7 year old now and it has nice incentives to move... Highlander is more expensive and has much less incentives.

They are better off investing into 2 smaller SUVs for worldwide production, which is what they seem to be doing, as well as raising Rav4 and Highlander production which they cant get enough of.

Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

Does anyone know if the Venza is sold in other markets around the world?

Toys4RJill

I was under the impression that it would still be exported

mmarshall

In the past, it was briefly sold in the Russian and Chinese markets, but is currently sold only in North America.

Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

Ok, because on wikipedia it showed the Venza in the Netherlands and Vietnam.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Venza

mmarshall

Yes...those two shots are interesting, but it doesn't say if the cars were simply photographed there or actually sold there.


Here are the other references from that same article:

In 2013 Venza debuted in Russian and Chinese market.[23]

The Venza is one of Toyota's crossovers without a third-row seat, as the Highlander crossover SUVs is the only SUV in Toyota's lineup to have third-row seating. The RAV4 is largely sold as a two-row five passenger vehicle (similar to the BMW X5), as the third-row seat has been discontinued for 2013 [3], while the five-passenger Highlander was discontinued with the release of the Venza. Unlike the RAV4 and Highlander, which are sold in Japan, the Venza is currently only sold in North America. The Venza's counterpart that is sold in Japan, the Toyota Mark X ZiO, is slightly shorter and narrower than the Venza but also has an available third row seat.

Vh_Supra26

iTrader: (1)

I guess the only way to know is to ask people that live in the Netherlands and Vietnam, anyone?

Blackraven

There used to be exports of Venza for the Russian market.

However these days, it seems that it's more profitable for Toyota USA to export this SUV from Indiana, USA all the way to Australia and New Zealand:

spwolf

yes, press release said it will still be exported to some markets... Venza sells in Russia and China currently. People should not trust Wiki's too much :-)