Mass Production Of The Solara Convertible Begins At Toyota Georgetown Kentucky Plant

March 2004 -- Georgetown, KY -- Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) celebrated the launch of production of the 2004 Solara Convertible today. The 2004 Solara Convertible will go on sale in March and will join the all-new second generation Solara Coupe, which launched last summer. The convertible was officially introduced to the public earlier this month at the Chicago Auto Show.

The Solara Convertible will be manufactured exclusively at TMMK. Toyota's?flexible manufacturing process allows the Convertible to be produced in low volumes while the plant continues to manufacture the Camry in high volume. TMMK's?annual plan currently calls for about 50,000 Solaras to be produced this year, of which 13,000 will be convertibles.

Rather than following the conventional method of cutting the top off of a coupe and adding the convertible top, the vehicle has been designed and will be manufactured as a convertible from its conception, a process that ensures no compromises with design, performance or quality.

"Our team members are demonstrating great adaptability and flexibility by manufacturing a niche vehicle like the Solara Convertible alongside our high volume Camry,"ásaid Gary Convis, President of TMMK. "We have some very unique processes designated for the convertible line. Those processes and the high skill level of our team members will give the customer a beautiful, high quality product." The Solara Convertible's?specially MIG welded frame and thick body panels accommodate the top stack while providing a much higher degree of stiffness, safety, quality, dependability and reliability. The top stack is installed offline by plant team members who ensure the accuracy of receivers, targets, and window seals and check for wind noise and water leaks using an ultrasound device.

Along with the Solara Coupe and Convertible, TMMK also produces the Camry, America's number one selling sedan, and the Avalon sedan. TMMK began production in 1988 and is Toyota's largest North American manufacturing facility with an investment of $6.6 billion. Since 1988, TMMK has manufactured over five million vehicles.

Solara Convertible Specs

Solara Convertible is available in two distinctive model grades: SE, highlighted by sporty metallic-finish interior trim and SLE, with greater content and a woodgrain-style interior trim. A standard rear spoiler and standard 17-inch alloy wheels add sporty flair on both the SLE and SE models. Standard fog lamps also highlight the wider, more aggressive appearance. New for the Convertible is a rear high-mount stoplight with nine light-emitting diodes on the back belt moulding.

Noise is held in check by vibration-damping and noise-suppressant material throughout the cabin, as well as in the wheel housings, dash panel and trunk. The Convertible's?unique manufacturing process will aid in wind noise reduction. For additional comfort and suppressed wind turbulence, an available windscreen can be installed.

The four-passenger Convertible provides ample headroom and legroom in the front and rear seats. Compared to the Coupe, the Convertible offers two inches more rear headroom with the top up. For ultimate convenience, the electric convertible roof control system quickly opens or closes in just ten seconds by touching a button on the instrument panel. The soft-top stows behind the rear seat and sits low for a sleek, overall appearance. Solara Convertible is equipped with an all-window control system, allowing drivers to open and close all door- and quarter-windows by pressing one button on the instrument panel.

The Convertible's standard all-aluminum, 3.3-liter VVT-i V6 engine produces 225 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 240 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 RPM. Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) ensures a broad torque band for sporty response across the engine speed range. The V6 is teamed exclusively to a five-speed sequential automatic transmission and offers a wide gear-ratio spread for quick acceleration. Electronic controls ensure ultra-smooth shift quality. The driver controls the five-speed sequential automatic with a gated shifter that allows manual shifting for a sporty driving experience. All Solara Convertibles receive California Level II Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV-II) and EPA Tier II Bin 5 certification, underscoring Toyota's commitment to environmental compatibility.

The front and rear suspension in the Solara Convertible is mounted to anti-vibration sub-frames, ensuring a smooth, quiet ride that can be compared with many luxury models. Solara Convertible further delivers on its promise of more fun-to-drive performance by using a sport-tuned suspension in both grades. Newly tuned springs, front and rear stabilizer bars, and an underbody diamond-shaped brace reduce body roll and pitch, resulting in a stable yet enlivened steering feel and response.

Standard four-wheel disc brakes and an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) help provide responsive, reliable, safe stopping power on all Solara Convertible models. The Convertible also offers vehicle stability (VSC) and traction control (TRAC) systems as optional equipment.

All Solara Convertible models are equipped with standard front seat-mounted side airbags as well as dual stage SRS airbags for driver and passenger that include an occupant classification sensor. A new magnetic front seat belt guide improves in-and-out access of the rear passengers and the ease of loading and unloading of cargo.