Exactly this! This is why the partnership makes sense. Less weight on them initially, but the sales should be encouraging to the company that they can start building on their own as well.
Well US A90 sales have surpassed total US A80 sales in just under two years.
That's because Avalon owners are all over 70 and don't drive unless they have a doctor's appointment.
You are comparing US sales to global production.
The export version of the Mkiv ended production in 1998, but the Japanese version continued production until July 2002.
If they can source another straight six closer (Japan) then they will go that route. However, I still have my bets on the V6TT from the Lexus’. Not a bad thing at all, but news is a closed deck “stronger” V6 block is in the works. It also coincides with the news I heard of the Tundra/Sequoia/LC getting a “stronger” block in the near future. Makes total sense and will help keep costs down for higher quality products. This will be interesting to see how it pans out.
If you're referring to Mazda, I don't have much faith in them having it be a solid successor to the B58. I think Toyota can now make a business case of building their own inline-six given the sales that the A90 had and can only see that as the successor to the B58.
Why fear? Nissan had no problem(s) with their VR38 program.
But like, they were so adamant on getting the Straight 6 for the A90, why not take the blueprints and make their own version?
Money
