No more Toyota Avalon!

No more Toyota Avalon! 18/03/2005 - Toyota Australia will end the production of the Avalon at the end of June 2005 to begin preparations for a range of new locally produced passenger sedans scheduled for release in 2006. Toyota Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, David Buttner said as the Australian market leader, Toyota was committed to having a strong presence in the Australian large car market with locally made models. “The production of the Avalon at our Altona plant was our first venture into manufacturing a large six cylinder passenger sedan and we have learned from the experience. “It has endowed our engineers, production workforce and local manufacturing plant with greater technical capability and versatility and our sales and marketing teams have garnered a greater understanding of customers in this market segment. “This experience places us in a strong position to deliver a truly modern, refined and exciting products to Australian customers.” “Avalon has averaged 770 new deliveries a month and current Avalon owners will continue to be supported by Toyota’s Australia wide dealer network with Genuine Parts and quality service. Further, Toyota will continue to enhance its six cylinder model range and is aggressive in its pursuit of additional market share. Mr Buttner said the next year was essential in preparing the Altona manufacturing plant for the new models in 2006. “The partial reduction of production capacity in 2005 is intended to prepare for a seamless changeover,” he said. “The new model will be manufactured to even more modern and stringent standards than are currently employed at our Melbourne plant and the preparation time will accommodate the introduction of a new body welding technique. “The forecasted increase in volume achieved with the 2006 models and beyond will more than compensate for pause in production,” he said. KEY FACTS Avalon will cease production at the Toyota Altona plant on Tuesday, 28 June 2005 Avalon was launched in July 2000 Production of the Avalon began in April 2000 41, 357 Avalons have been sold in Australia (11/3/2005) 996 Avalons have been exported to New Zealand since 2000 Avalon was given a facelift in September 2003 EDITOR - Mark Cox