The Past, Present, and Future of Scion

Sure, the Scion xB is not long for this world, but that doesn’t have the company down. Things are looking up.

In fact, they’re already heading that way. Scion enjoyed a 57-percent year-over-year sales increase in September, which also turned out to be the best September for the company since 2012.

The new iA sedan and iM hatch should make October a great month for the youth-oriented brand as well. According to Scion, “More than half of iA and iM buyers are younger than 35 years old and new to Toyota.” I’m in that demo and I know how important style and infotainment features can be, but the $16,495 iA’s IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status and standard low-speed pre-collision system certainly don’t hurt its appeal. Advertising that taps into everyone’s nostalgic side isn’t a bad idea, either:

Focusing on the past might bring smiles to faces, but concentrating on future products is what will draw in more customers. Andrew Gilleland has served in various management positions within Scion, Toyota, and Lexus and is now back at Scion as its new vice president. In that position, he’ll be a part of the team that will debut a concept at the upcoming LA Auto Show. We’ll just have to wait to see what exactly that vehicle is – and if its production version does well for Scion.

PRESS RELEASE

7 Reasons Scion is Celebrating this Fall

TORRANCE, Calif., (Oct. 15, 2015) — Sure, Scion was under the radar for a while, but with the iM and iA now on sale, things are definitely looking up. Here are seven reasons we’re feeling good right now:

1. Scion was the fastest-growing car brand in September. With its best September in three years and a 57 percent year-over-year increase, Scion had the largest increase of any car brand. And watch out for Q4 sales…they’re tracking to be the best in eight years.

2. iM and iA Customers. Scion’s role is to bring in new, younger customers to Toyota. Early buyer surveys indicate that more than half of iA and iM buyers are younger than 35 years old and new to Toyota.

3. That third car. We know…we didn’t say, or show, very much. But we’ll debut a new concept at the L.A. Auto Show that will be the new icon for Scion.

4. Weird is the new cool. With our new ad campaign featuring James Franco, Urkel and that crazy, waving, dealership tube man, people are seeing a different side of Scion. Weird, Right?

5. Safety and value are cool, too. The iA recently received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and has standard low-speed pre-collision. All starting at $16,495.

6. Our Formula Drift Team smoked the competition. In Saturday’s finale, Scion drivers Fredric Aasbo and Ken Gushi finished one-two. Aasbo won the World and National Formula Drift Championships and Scion clinched the Manufacturer’s Cup for the second year in a row.

7. The New Guy. Scion’s new vice president, Andrew Gilleland, brings experience and enthusiasm to his role. With great products and a commitment from dealers, look for Scion to stay on the radar.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

pictures [Scion]

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Derek Shiekhi

Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.

After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Texas State University, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism from Austin Community College as well. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.

While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.

Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.

In addition to writing for a variety of Internet Brands sites, including JK-Forum.com and Ford-Trucks.com, Derek also contributes to other outlets. He started There Will Be Cars on Instagram and Facebook to get even more automotive content out to fellow enthusiasts.

Derek can be contacted at autoeditors@internetbrands.com