Scion Doubling Lineup?
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From: scionlife.com
Scion Doubling Lineup?
Scion sales have hit a slump in the last 17 months, with a peak of 175,000 units sold in 2006, the youth-marketed brand's sales have dipped to 130,000 vehicles last year. The solution will likely come from three new vehicles to be released in the next few years. Scion's veep, Jack Hollis, told Automotive News in an interview during the Big Apple bash, that Scion is "studying two or three models in conceptual form right now." Unfortunately, one of those was the Hako Coupe concept that was unveiled in New York and was met with considerable backlash from attendees and those of you following the show from home (check the comments Scion).
While a two-door xB was the prototypical answer to a question no one asked, Hollis questioned (out loud) what products are in the pipeline. "Could it be a truck? A hybrid? An SUV? A subcompact roadster? We are not limiting our search." We'll answer those for you: no, maybe, no and Hell yes. The Scion rep said that the current 130,000 mark is good for the three "core" vehicles in its lineup, but products that are more niche oriented – comprising annual sales around 20,000 to 25,000 units a year – are being seriously considered. If that means more models aimed at enthusiasts, something that's been sorely lacking since the brand's introduction in 2003, then we're all for it. The rumors of a RWD, Subaru boxer-powered coupe are still swirling and that could be a serious hit if Scion decides to bring in Stateside.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/s...ubling-lineup/
While a two-door xB was the prototypical answer to a question no one asked, Hollis questioned (out loud) what products are in the pipeline. "Could it be a truck? A hybrid? An SUV? A subcompact roadster? We are not limiting our search." We'll answer those for you: no, maybe, no and Hell yes. The Scion rep said that the current 130,000 mark is good for the three "core" vehicles in its lineup, but products that are more niche oriented – comprising annual sales around 20,000 to 25,000 units a year – are being seriously considered. If that means more models aimed at enthusiasts, something that's been sorely lacking since the brand's introduction in 2003, then we're all for it. The rumors of a RWD, Subaru boxer-powered coupe are still swirling and that could be a serious hit if Scion decides to bring in Stateside.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/24/s...ubling-lineup/
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Hybridize everything!
And tweak the hybrid system so that it can be manually adjusted between max torque or max efficiency.
Put them into ALL models, period.
I think it's worth doubling-down the bet of using hybrid tech along with experimental, niche design.
Put them into ALL models, period.
I think it's worth doubling-down the bet of using hybrid tech along with experimental, niche design.
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I don't think Toyota is capable to recapture the magic of their initial lineup. Across the board, Toyota increased the displacement and size of nearly every one of their vehicles. They ditched a fantastic formula in the initial xB for a larger rendition, and the xD is just...
Case in point: the Corolla XRS. At 24K, it offers what the tC offers (except with four doors) and not much else, but at that price it's somewhere between $5k and $8k less than a Mercedes Benz C300 sport model. Not to mention, why do you need a performance version of the corolla?
The Hako is one questionable decision in a series of questionable decisions. It's as though once they became #1, they went paranoid and fired everyone who was sane.
Personally speaking, the wife and I stayed away from Toyota when we traded the tC. It's a shame, as it was our first non-Toyota purchase, but Toyota isn't giving us any reason to regret.
Case in point: the Corolla XRS. At 24K, it offers what the tC offers (except with four doors) and not much else, but at that price it's somewhere between $5k and $8k less than a Mercedes Benz C300 sport model. Not to mention, why do you need a performance version of the corolla?
The Hako is one questionable decision in a series of questionable decisions. It's as though once they became #1, they went paranoid and fired everyone who was sane.
Personally speaking, the wife and I stayed away from Toyota when we traded the tC. It's a shame, as it was our first non-Toyota purchase, but Toyota isn't giving us any reason to regret.
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They really need to "pure price" a dropped, squared-off Tacoma pickup at around $16k (the current "base model" Tacoma starts at $14k). They would have a cult classic. RWD, extended or double cab short bed 4 banger with a ton of aftermarket support.
They could revive the mini-truck era from the 80's (something their target market remembers, unlike the 1940s style Hako) and expand the line-up.
Make it more boxy, like a gen1 xB and load it up with standard equipment and airbags. I'd buy one today.
Functional, cheap cars/trucks that can be customized. Not cars that tell you what "cool" should be, like the overly stylized concepts of late.
-THE DON
They could revive the mini-truck era from the 80's (something their target market remembers, unlike the 1940s style Hako) and expand the line-up.
Make it more boxy, like a gen1 xB and load it up with standard equipment and airbags. I'd buy one today.
Functional, cheap cars/trucks that can be customized. Not cars that tell you what "cool" should be, like the overly stylized concepts of late.
-THE DON
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I absolutely agree with mtxblau that Scion and Toyota have lost "the Way", what happened to ENTRY-LEVEL...customizable...small cars? It only took 5 years to nearly ruin a great new marque while simultaneously throwing the mission statement in the toilet. Thats all.
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Dear Scion,
Ignore those that criticize the xB2. Those of us in the xB2 section love it. In fact, we wish you would release the supercharger. Those of us that own an xB2 fully understood that the vehicle wasn't going to get extremely high gas mileage, and we bought it anyway. Why? Because it was refined.
We also realize that there's always going to be a place in the hearts for those who wish to have really good gas mileage, so please split your future models between the two.
I for one, think there's room enough for different flavors to appeal to different tastes. Maybe you need to add the bB for those that prefer the original xB?
Point is, if the xB2 wasn't cool, I know you wouldn't have used the model as the Corolla Rumion in Japan...and I think you made the right choice.
Ignore those that criticize the xB2. Those of us in the xB2 section love it. In fact, we wish you would release the supercharger. Those of us that own an xB2 fully understood that the vehicle wasn't going to get extremely high gas mileage, and we bought it anyway. Why? Because it was refined.
We also realize that there's always going to be a place in the hearts for those who wish to have really good gas mileage, so please split your future models between the two.
I for one, think there's room enough for different flavors to appeal to different tastes. Maybe you need to add the bB for those that prefer the original xB?
Point is, if the xB2 wasn't cool, I know you wouldn't have used the model as the Corolla Rumion in Japan...and I think you made the right choice.
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Hey Scion........if you want to re-release the best-selling Gen 1 xB as a "new model" in the coming years..........we owners won't tell anybody.
Promise.
P.S. Please stop making cars for my dad and start making cars for me again. Or, better yet, MAKE BOTH AT ONCE.
Promise.
P.S. Please stop making cars for my dad and start making cars for me again. Or, better yet, MAKE BOTH AT ONCE.
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Originally Posted by mtxblau
I don't think Toyota is capable to recapture the magic of their initial lineup. Across the board, Toyota increased the displacement and size of nearly every one of their vehicles. They ditched a fantastic formula in the initial xB for a larger rendition, and the xD is just...
Case in point: the Corolla XRS. At 24K, it offers what the tC offers (except with four doors) and not much else, but at that price it's somewhere between $5k and $8k less than a Mercedes Benz C300 sport model. Not to mention, why do you need a performance version of the corolla?
The Hako is one questionable decision in a series of questionable decisions. It's as though once they became #1, they went paranoid and fired everyone who was sane.
Personally speaking, the wife and I stayed away from Toyota when we traded the tC. It's a shame, as it was our first non-Toyota purchase, but Toyota isn't giving us any reason to regret.
Case in point: the Corolla XRS. At 24K, it offers what the tC offers (except with four doors) and not much else, but at that price it's somewhere between $5k and $8k less than a Mercedes Benz C300 sport model. Not to mention, why do you need a performance version of the corolla?
The Hako is one questionable decision in a series of questionable decisions. It's as though once they became #1, they went paranoid and fired everyone who was sane.
Personally speaking, the wife and I stayed away from Toyota when we traded the tC. It's a shame, as it was our first non-Toyota purchase, but Toyota isn't giving us any reason to regret.
I'd love to see anything close to a performance car from Toyota. EVERYBODY but Toyota has a performance car.
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they need to reorganize the brands...already. GM took years to mess up its branding it only took toyota 5 years.
start over. whatever you have on the table, just start over.
- make a hyundai genesis coupe competitor.
200hp, turbo, RWD 2dr <$20,000
- Put a turbo on the 1.5l and put it in something yaris sized.
150hp, 1.5T, FWD, <$16,500
- give us the JDM bB.
130, 1.8l, fwd <$14,500
anything less and scion is going to just blend in...its going to become Saturn. The xB2 is a corolla wagon. The tC cant keep up with the GTI, SI, MS3, ect. the xD is pretty good but cant compete with the honda fit.
ps- i traded my xB for a MK5 GTI because Toyota has nothing even remotely close.
start over. whatever you have on the table, just start over.
- make a hyundai genesis coupe competitor.
200hp, turbo, RWD 2dr <$20,000
- Put a turbo on the 1.5l and put it in something yaris sized.
150hp, 1.5T, FWD, <$16,500
- give us the JDM bB.
130, 1.8l, fwd <$14,500
anything less and scion is going to just blend in...its going to become Saturn. The xB2 is a corolla wagon. The tC cant keep up with the GTI, SI, MS3, ect. the xD is pretty good but cant compete with the honda fit.
ps- i traded my xB for a MK5 GTI because Toyota has nothing even remotely close.
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From: N38° 37', W90° 17'
Originally Posted by 07-5spd-SprWht-tC
Originally Posted by cessblood
Originally Posted by Streeter
That last sentence made me pee a little bit.
I think it's in Scion's best interests to just stop everything for a second and compare what their lineup, figures, and opinions look like between now and four years ago. Look at what people say is working, and look at what people say used to work.
It looks to me like they're already going the way of Saturn, and falling victim to the standard corporate equations and bunk and mindset, which alienates their core enthusiasts and loyal base. I hate to say it, but what Scion's doing right now is trying to make money and play to a larger, blander market (while still holding onto their "hip and alternative" marketing), instead of gobble up niches with unique cars.
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Dear Scion
Like The Don said, make a compact truck!!!! Scionify the A-BAT if you will, just make it a cool looking somewhat blank canvas mini truck. Take the xB1, xB2, A-BAT, and Suzuki X-Head, throw them in a blender and use the best designers you have to create a truck. 2010 would be nice.
Don't overwork the design. Clean lines, nice interior like the xB2 and price it around $14K or less, if possible. Put the 1.8L or a 2.0L in it. Something I can haul some lightweight stuff as well as some storage behind the seat and in the center console. Love that pull out storage in the tailgate on the A-BAT.
Add the rims from the Hako Concept.....ONLY THE RIMS! Make it boxy of course. I love my '97 S-10, but I've got 120K on it and am looking at upgrading.....AC, storage behind seat, something cooler looking, a toyota product.
I like the whole idea of the Scion brand! I love being able to add Only What I Want, and not some package with stuff I don't care about like crappy floor mats. I can find better ones at Target.
You build a truck, and I know people will buy it. The only small truck available at a decent price is the Ford Ranger, which hasn't been updated much in 14 years.
Thanks for your time.
Don't overwork the design. Clean lines, nice interior like the xB2 and price it around $14K or less, if possible. Put the 1.8L or a 2.0L in it. Something I can haul some lightweight stuff as well as some storage behind the seat and in the center console. Love that pull out storage in the tailgate on the A-BAT.
Add the rims from the Hako Concept.....ONLY THE RIMS! Make it boxy of course. I love my '97 S-10, but I've got 120K on it and am looking at upgrading.....AC, storage behind seat, something cooler looking, a toyota product.
I like the whole idea of the Scion brand! I love being able to add Only What I Want, and not some package with stuff I don't care about like crappy floor mats. I can find better ones at Target.
You build a truck, and I know people will buy it. The only small truck available at a decent price is the Ford Ranger, which hasn't been updated much in 14 years.
Thanks for your time.