With the replacement of the long-running Avalon (5 generations over 25+ years) by the Crown, it would seem that the Avalon name has become a liability to Toyota or at least the name has become irrelevant.
Does the Avalon name mean so little now (become so irrelevant) that American buyers would not care that its replacement has been given a new name? The Crown name may not be new to Toyota but it effectively is to American buyers, since a Toyota Crown model has not been sold here in 50 years, such that only enthusiasts know and recognize the name.
Or, at worst, does the Avalon name now have such bad connotations that it has to be thrown away, not to be used on its replacement? Throwing away an automotive model name is something expected of GM when it wants buyers to forget the truly terrible car(s) that once carried that name (e.g. Cavalier).
Does Toyota North America want buyers to forget the Avalon? Was the Avalon really that bad?