Is it the end of Scion? Brand loses sales as 2nd-generation models struggle

The xB and xD look dopey. The tC isn't too bad

— henbmw (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 11:09:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 10   

just a fad.
they're weird looking cars that had a moment...and it's passed.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 11:44:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

bye...bye

— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 11:54:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

I agree, the tC is the only decent looking car. The others are trendy. They only look cool when they are fixed up (then again, some look really stupid fixed up the wrong way)....

But then again, once you get over the looks, we all still know what's under the hood, so that takes care of that.....

Scion cars don't suck though, in their segment. Of course I would rather get an A4, C, IS or 3 over this. Compared to those cars, Scion sucks, but they don't compete in the same segment anyway.

They are good people movers, that's about it.

— jeeka715 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 12:00:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The xB got bigger, boring and Toyota took away the only niche it had going for it. The xA is a waste of sheetmetal considering you can also find the Yaris under the same dealer roof. The tC is the only Scion worth mentioning because for Toyota, it actually serves a purpose in the compact car segment it doesn't have many competitors at its price.

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 12:10:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i long for the day when i drive down the road and never see the shrunken astro van that they call the XB

— rallyss (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 12:17:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

They should have just kept them as Toyotas. The fact that a tc or xB have the 164hp 2.4L engine standard and the Corolla/Matrix base models still come with a 1.8L with only 135hp? Sure you can updgrade to the optional 2.4L. But when you move to the S/XRS models you get the 2.4. Big whoop, when you compare that the older XRS cars had a 2zz 1.8L with 181hp.

So a bigger, heavier, more mainstream car like the Rolla and Trix get weak engines compared to the smaller Scion?? That makes no sense.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 12:47:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Yeah, old people tend not to buy many cars.

— drew630 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 12:53:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Toyota is starting to look like what GM used to be. Producing cars for a market that doesn't exist.

— kpaxx (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 1:14:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

Dont count Scion out just yet. The xB has recordeed duoble digit sales increases for the past 4 months. The tC is in its 4th year, so sales should be lower. The only real dog in their lineup is the new xD, which is not living up to the xA's already low sales numbers.

My guess is that the tC will be all new in 1-2 years, and that the xB will get the new 2.7L engine next year, which should keep its sales climbing. I dont know what they could possibly do about the xA, other than maybe lower its sticker. And that might not even be enough. The xD gets lost in a sea of Yarises and Fits.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 2:09:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

They could ditch scion and carry the cars over to Toyota. Give the xA a redesign to make it look appealing. I actually really like the tC. Not a fan of the others scion vehicles however.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 2:15:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

This article is sketchy, filled with vague data (15-20,000), contradictions (increased dealers, fewer dealers), and "some say" journalism (Toyota insiders).

People have been predicting the demise of Scion before it even debuted.

— 1970toyotamarc (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 2:18:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Just wait until gasoline hover over $4+ (US) for many months.

— hatepusss (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 2:19:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Oh, and after the receal of the new Matrix, it looked way too much like a Scion so I am glad I got my 05 Matrix XR AWD instead of the new one. Looks squashed, and I would have opted for the new 09 Vibe instead, it has a cleaner look IMO.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 3:17:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Actually I'm really not surprised. Scion has failed to keep abreast of updating their existing models. Take the Tc for example, for someone wanting an automatic, they have to take the old 4 speed unit. However, the same engine combination in the new Corolla is a 5 speed unit. The combination in the Camry is also a 5 speed unit. So why should a Scion be shouldered with a 4 speed? There are other examples, but you get my drift.

— midwest12360 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 4:30:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

TOYOTA FAILING?

NO, that must not be right, this is not possible. they are the best brand in the world, their products are truly amazing, Lexus is the best luxury brand in the world. Toyota is perfect, they never make any mistakes, their strategy for world domination is perfect. Their new Tundra P/U is perfect, I saw the adds, it is truly astonishing, I do drive towards a cliff at full speed with a trailer all the time. i also climb gigantic metal ramps pulling my trailer all the time...
The Scion marketing branch of Toyota can not fail as it sells the trendiest, most fuel efficient, best built box on wheels.

Just my 2 cents

— 1evlaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 5:25:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

They need MORE CARS. 3 isn't enough to hold for very long, especially since there's a long dry spot after each model refresh.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 5:31:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The only Scion that I like is the TC.

— bmwfan1513 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 8:32:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The TC isnt a bad car... Toyota has deep enough pockets to keep Scion going... But Toyota is looking more and more like GM every day.

— no1listensanyway (View Profile)

Posted on 3/3/2008 10:50:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Its a wonder they were able to sell as well as they did for that long. These are some of the ugliest, little pointless cars on the market. Yes the TC looked pretty good when it came out, but it is tired as hell now. There are clearly better cars in Scion's space and finally buyers see that. They've awoken from their "buy everything Toyota" induced haze.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 3/4/2008 2:24:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I would not be sad if Toyota was to dump that brand, a lot of manufacturers should stop bleeding money by supporting useless or obsolete brands. They could concentrate on quality, gas mileage and things that matters to the consumers, like original designs.
I recently sat in a Camry, and this thing looks like crap inside, panel not fitting, irregular gaps, unpleasant controls. it was terrible. I think consumers will eventually wake up to that kind of things and look pass the badge.
I also sat in a new Malibu and thought it was more satisfying than the Camry and than actually most of the American products. I wish the best to GM, as it seems they are on their way to recovery.

— 1evlaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 3/4/2008 11:15:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I am sorry dude but I was not talking about something subjective as the look, but at the overall quality, fit and finish, body panels gap and such.

— 1evlaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 3/4/2008 10:24:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1