Toyota takes new Avensis upmarket.

Byline: Wim Oude Weernink Automotive News Europe

Toyota is making its new Avensis more upscale than the old model in response to declining sales in the upper-medium segment.

Toyota wants the new Avensis to rival lower-luxury cars such as the BMW 3-series, win more fleet and lease sales, and achieve higher margins.

The share of upper-medium models in western Europe has fallen from 14.9 percent - about 2.5 million units - of total new-car sales in 1997 to 11 percent or 1.96 million units last year.

"The segment has become too fragmented with the arrival of minivans ...