gavriil

It’s back to the future at Scion, the new, youth-oriented division from Toyota. The automaker’s growing success is closely linked to its popularity with the Baby Boomers. But the challenge will be winning over tomorrow’s young buyers. The division introduced two new products in L.A., which will go on sales when Scion launches this coming June. The xA is a sporty five-door with a “hunkered-down feel.” It’s based on the Ist, a subcompact currently sold in Japan, though it gets bigger tires and a lowered, more sporty suspension for the U.S.

The xB will be a production version of the boxy bbX shown last year and also already in production in Japan. A micro-minivan, it will make good use of space, delivering more room for passengers than a Mercedes-Benz C-Class and more cargo space than the Land Rover Freelander. It will also offer stability control, a rarity in the subcompact segment – and even more unusual considering the well-equipped vehicles will carry a base price of just under $16,000.

But Scion customers will be likely to run that figure up a good bit, company officials acknowledge. Company studies show the typical target buyer adds $1000 to $3000 worth of aftermarket accessories to their vehicles. A key piece of the Scion strategy is to supply those accessories through company dealers, rather than letting customers turn to outside vendors. “It’s about personalization,” declared Scion’s new general manager, Jim Farley. But it’s also about borrowing a page from the past, he acknowledged. When Toyota first started gaining ground in the U.S., it shipped stripped-down cars from Japan. If Boomer buyers wanted to add a better radio, nicer seats or air conditioning, for example, the vehicles were upgraded at port facilities or by local dealers. The strategy simplified production and boosted margins. Toyota hopes to sell 100,000 Scions annually.

blackmagiCL_S

Eh. The xA (curvy one) is okay looking (Matrix anyone?) but there are so many players in that "inflated station wagon" market already. The xB...just say "no". The Element is nicer looking in my opinion.

soopa

some of the hooked up scions at sema were cool.


they had a TonyKart series... all the Scions were made to hold karts in the back. neat

Awais

what in the **** is Toyota trying to pull here with that boxy mini van...or whatever it is

someone remind Toyota about the difference b./w tastes of a Japanese and an American

rondog

iTrader: (1)

they don't look so bad, very clean looking packaging up close and in person.

Collective27

Stupidity.....do they seriously think kids are going to buy them???

rondog

iTrader: (1)

they don't look so bad, very clean looking packaging up close and in person.

nandowong

those models just scream out Japanese. I dont know if they will be popular in US. the second one looks like a matrix and the other one like a mini cooper.

Python2121

1. FUGLY. i cant imagine one of my friends considering it

2. looks nice. very europian "twingo" style. seems like a larger, nicer smart car . i wouldn't get it but its alright

3. go back to #1, but slightly better because it doesn't have a rice body kit.

Scion would never sell #1 becuase that body kit is way too low. you would bottom out everywhere (there goes midwest with their crappy roads) and that probably sucks in snow.

1SICKLEX

Both look like crap and the can looks like a fake Element. Why waste all that money in marketing and developing a new brand when hey just need sportier Toyotas.

BRING THE SUPRA BACK!!!!!