Photo: Toyota
The automotive industry is, for all intents and purposes, a dog-eat-dog world. Time and time again, manufacturer learned that “Adapt or die!” isn’t merely a suggestion, but how the cookie crumbles in this sphere of activity. Case in point: the crossover and SUV boom that happened to change the European consumer.
2015 marks the first calendar year when crossovers and SUVs outsold other genres of cars in the European Union. Cars such as the Renault Captur and Nissan Qashqai are immensely popular in the Old Continent according to the latest figures. But as the rules change, so does the game.
Toyota, of all manufacturers out there, has raised the question this time around: if crossovers and SUVs are that in with the in crowd, something has to give, doesn’t it? In this regard, Toyota Europe chief executive officer Johan van Zyl said that the future of the Avensis is under survey.
Speaking to Auto Express, van Zyl told the motoring publication that the Japanese manufacturer’s bean counters are keeping a close eye on how the D-segment evolves. “We’re very satisfied with the performance of Avensis now – the product is doing fine for us. But we’re asking if the next step should be another D-segment saloon or something else.”
To my ears, it sounds like the beginning of the end for the mid-sized Avensis. Before the financial crisis of 2008 came into its own, the Avensis sold 103,566 units in Europe. Last year, the family-oriented sedan struggled to move 33,197 units. What’s more, the same nameplate sold 116,188 units in 1998, a year when the European Union was affected to some extent by the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 1998 Russian financial crisis.
Worse still, Toyota doesn’t have a mid-sized crossover or SUV in its European lineup. If you want such a car, you can get the subcompact C-HR, the compact RAV4 or the full-size Land Cruiser. By comparison, Toyota North America has a trio of models slotted between those the RAV4 and Land Cruiser. More specifically, the Highlander, 4Runner, and the Sequoia.
Currently assembled in Burnaston, Derbyshire, the Toyota Avensis could be replaced by a jacked-up offering if sales refuse to rebound to their former glory. Toyota isn’t the only automaker who’s having a hard time in this area. Citroen, for example, phased out the C5 sedan after selling just 13,480 units in 2015. In this regard, Citroen is also playing the sport utility vehicle card.
Toyota, of all manufacturers out there, has raised the question this time around: if crossovers and SUVs are that in with the in crowd, something has to give, doesn’t it? In this regard, Toyota Europe chief executive officer Johan van Zyl said that the future of the Avensis is under survey.
Speaking to Auto Express, van Zyl told the motoring publication that the Japanese manufacturer’s bean counters are keeping a close eye on how the D-segment evolves. “We’re very satisfied with the performance of Avensis now – the product is doing fine for us. But we’re asking if the next step should be another D-segment saloon or something else.”
To my ears, it sounds like the beginning of the end for the mid-sized Avensis. Before the financial crisis of 2008 came into its own, the Avensis sold 103,566 units in Europe. Last year, the family-oriented sedan struggled to move 33,197 units. What’s more, the same nameplate sold 116,188 units in 1998, a year when the European Union was affected to some extent by the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the 1998 Russian financial crisis.
Worse still, Toyota doesn’t have a mid-sized crossover or SUV in its European lineup. If you want such a car, you can get the subcompact C-HR, the compact RAV4 or the full-size Land Cruiser. By comparison, Toyota North America has a trio of models slotted between those the RAV4 and Land Cruiser. More specifically, the Highlander, 4Runner, and the Sequoia.
Currently assembled in Burnaston, Derbyshire, the Toyota Avensis could be replaced by a jacked-up offering if sales refuse to rebound to their former glory. Toyota isn’t the only automaker who’s having a hard time in this area. Citroen, for example, phased out the C5 sedan after selling just 13,480 units in 2015. In this regard, Citroen is also playing the sport utility vehicle card.
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