Toyota Granvia discontinued

TOYOTA has announced that its Granvia people mover will be discontinued locally citing changing customer preferences and forthcoming regulatory changes as the reasons behind its decision.

With people movers making up just one per cent of Australian new vehicle sales – and the Granvia just a portion of that overall number – the decision is one we’d wager makes a great deal of sense; the model joining the likes of the Subaru Exiga, Proton Exora, and others that have gone before it.

Until today, the $62,990 plus on-road costs Toyota Granvia had vied against the likes of the cheaper Kia Carnival (589 sales YTD) and Hyundai Staria (88 sales) and same-category Lexus LM (26 sales) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (24 sales).

Over the same time frame it sold just four units.

Speaking on the matter this week, Toyota vice president of sales, marketing, and franchise operations Sean Hanley said customer preferences toward SUVs and the Granvia’s failure to meet ADR 98/00 (which comes in to effect from March 1) prompted the unfortunate move.

“We initially planned to upgrade the Granvia to meet the new standard but upon reviewing sales, market conditions, production complexity and future regulations, we decided not to proceed and to instead retire the nameplate,” he said.

“The people mover segment makes up just one per cent of the total market with buyers gravitating towards large SUVs. In the end we couldn’t make a compelling business case for continuing with the vehicle.”

Mr Hanley apologised to Toyota customers inconvenienced by the decision but said the decision will take effect immediately.

“We apologise to any customers inconvenienced by this decision,” he added.

Toyota Australia said it will work with its dealer network to assist affected customers.

The Granvia was available in six- and eight-seat versions, both powered by a 2.8-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine familiar to the HiAce on which it is based.

Toyota says the Granvia was “aimed at high-end hospitality, family and corporate buyers and since its introduction to Australia in late 2019, attracted almost 1000 buyers (999)”.

Toyota Granvia total sales (2019-25)*:

*Data supplied courtesy of VFACTS.