Ive been waiting for this press release forever and it finally came this morning....

SCION LAUNCHES OPTOMIZE - A NEW ACCESSORIES AND APPAREL PROGRAM

TORRANCE, Calif., April 28, 2006 -- Scion, of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., announced today the launch of its new aftermarket accessory program, Optomize. As Scion’s second accessory program, Optomize focuses on bringing cutting-edge products and convenience to the customer at the dealership.
Optomize will allow customers to personalize their vehicle at the time of purchase with over 150 name-brand accessories in addition to products already offered by Scion Genuine Accessories. Accessories offered by Optomize will be covered by the individual manufacturer’s warranty and will vary from product to product.
“Scion is about personalization and to have these branded accessories available to the customer at the dealership is extraordinary,” said Steve Hatanaka, Scion Accessories Operations Manager. “We know our customers will be happy with the selection and continue to be creative with their vehicles.”
The program will focus on aesthetic accessories and offer products that tuners can easily install such as shift *****, rear view mirrors, cell phone holders, and racing pedals. In addition, Optomize will also offer car care, boutique items, Scion clothing and logo goods.
Some brands featured by the Optomize program include Alpine, ARC, Broadway, Detailn Gear, Eagle One, GReddy, Fizz, H3R Performance, Kozak, Levoc, Lonza, Mackin Industries, Meguiar’s, Mothers, Napolex, Pilot Automotive, Racingcode, Razo, Sparco, Street Image, Tein, The Absorber and turn3.
Optomize will launch at participating Scion dealerships in early May.


This program is going to be awesome based on what Ive seen from my regional office so far. A pair of Greddy driving gloves will be my first purchase from the new lineup!

 

Sounds pretty cool... but I'm worried about dealers jacking prices... like most of them always do.

 

I dont jack prices and back a few months ago when I was talking to Steve Hatanaka about this idea I mentioned to him pricing would make or break this entire concept. Mr. Hatanaka is basically a prodigy when it comes to aftermarket parts so I fully trust pricing wont be an issue...

 

since Hatanka is puttin it together, im sure pricing wont really be an issue
but can't wait for this to hit

 

Well what I'm thinking is that our local dealer charges LIST price on EVERYTHING. Where-as I can go to TRDSparks online (another dealer) and get everything below list. It'd be nice if I could just get everything from the local dealer, but not if they're going to screw me everytime.

 

well thats not nice

 

Im not in the business of "screwing people"...

 

thats why you were a champion, buddy

 

Hmm, sounds good!! So will you be able to finance the parts too?

 

What you have to take into consideration is that a guy with a garage full of stuff he sells online and a dealership are two different things. You can't touch and smell stuff online, and it is by far easier to resolve any issues you may have with a product at a dealership. A dealership will have significantly more overhead than an online store, and from the sounds of this program, I imagine the price difference would really be splitting hairs. Sometimes you just have to weigh out what your paying for outside the product and decide if the cost is worth that to you. I have been involved in many aspects of retail and I will tell you that a good portion of dealers aren't out to screw anyone.

Also, is there anywhere we can view some of the lineup already?

or maybe one of you dealers can throw some of the "suggestions" out there.

 

TRD Sparks is a Toyota/Scion dealer... not some guy online selling parts. I believe it's Ken Sparks Toyota/Scion or something like that.

Same goes for McGeorgeparts.com. Another dealer that sells parts online under list.

 

TRD Sparks isn't a garage or backdoor company bro
its an actual dealer, thats selling products you can get at your local shop for much cheaper
yes, it may be easier to resolve issues in person, but Ken is very helpful with anything/everything

 

So what are you guys doing then? Jacking up prices?

my apologies to ack

 

not our choice on prices
believe me, id love to sell all our parts/acc for what TRD sparks is, but i dont control that
if TRD Sparks wants to sell them for under list, thats their choice....it would backfire at other places, but with the number of customers they have, its actually better for business
at the end, he'll make a lil more money

 

w00t

 

The full accessories list for the new line will be available monday. Once I can access it I will post it here ASAP. Im just as anxious to see it as everybody else is. I have seen some of the things already like TEIN hood dampers for an xB, Greddy racing gloves, full line of Sparco pedals and *****...

 

Any actually practical or useful items you've heard of yet, or will it mostly be fashion over function goodies on the list, Joe?

 

So far it seems to be mostly cosmetic as has been stated. There are still almost 100 accessories still unknown. Time will tell how this turns out...

 

Hey PeruzziScion do you have access to the lists or do we all gotta wait until the 5th?

 

I gotta wait just like everybody else unless my new parts catalog gets here first. I know its in the mail but Im not sure if its going to get here before the website is up. If get the catalog I will make sure to post some of the highlights. Im not sure I want to rewrite 100 different accessories....