"Jon Resk" (jonresk)
06/29/2015 at 11:23 • Filed to: None
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"Jon Resk" (jonresk)
06/29/2015 at 11:23 • Filed to: None | 4
| 40 |
If you’re from Europe, Japan, or anywhere that’s not North America, you have probably never seen a Scion in your life. Given that they’re mostly rebadged Toyotas from elsewhere, I say that you’re not missing out on much. If you still have no idea what I’m talking about (and you’re about to hit the back button with haste), Scion is essentially a “youth-oriented” sub-brand of Toyota.
My question is, why do they even still exist? They only have a few models in their lineup, and most of them aren’t popular at all (safe for the slick FR-S). Wouldn’t it be smarter to integrate the FR-S and other somewhat popular models into the Toyota lineup, instead of having a completely separate entity and company to manage and operate?
Their current lineup consists of the iQ, tC, FR-S, xB, along with the recently-announced iM hatchback and the questionable-looking iA.
Pictured: Bane not happy with his Banemobile (iA).
This is not a rant against Scion, but rather some honest questions I’ve been asking myself lately. Any thoughts?
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:25 |
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Because the only way to sell to the #youth is through #branding changes.
For Sweden
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:26 |
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A good way to sell cheaper Toyotas without bring Toyota downmarket.
Party-vi
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:27 |
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Because people that don’t know chassis model codes and engine outputs just want to buy cheap appliances to get them from point A to point B. It’s a cheap car for people who just need a cheap car. Nothing wrong with that.
505Turbeaux
> Party-vi
06/29/2015 at 11:28 |
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and the Xb gen 1 was a fantastic cheap car with a ton of room for the wheelbase
duurtlang
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
06/29/2015 at 11:28 |
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But do they actually sell to the youth? We don’t have Scion here, but Toyota/Lexus vehicles tend to be driven by people who are old enough to be my parents, or older. I’m 32 years old.
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Party-vi
> For Sweden
06/29/2015 at 11:29 |
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What is downmarket from an already economy brand?
HammerheadFistpunch
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:29 |
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I don’t understand it either. For the money of keeping and maintaining a separate brand their sales hardly seem worth the effort.
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For Sweden
> Party-vi
06/29/2015 at 11:30 |
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Scion, that’s what.
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SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> duurtlang
06/29/2015 at 11:31 |
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Nope. Old people buy them.
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Party-vi
> For Sweden
06/29/2015 at 11:32 |
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But FR-S
GhostZ
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:35 |
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“No one cared who I was, until I put on the badge.”
“If I take that off, will you go beige?”
“No, but it will be extremely boring...”
“You look like a tough guy.”
“...for you.”
Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:36 |
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The iA was literally Toyota corporate going like, “Hey we could totally do better and design a sedan for ourselves instead of grafting a catfish onto a Mazda, but let’s just not.”
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For Sweden
> Party-vi
06/29/2015 at 11:37 |
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Poor Man’s Subaru
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GhostZ
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:37 |
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The FR-S is unique because it’s built by Subaru and badge-sold by Toyota. Everything else in scion’s lineup is shit. Toyota may have had some hand in designing it, but they don’t build them, I’m fairly sure all of them come out of Subaru’s factories.
Gated Manual
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:39 |
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Both the iQ and xB are going away. Originally it was targeted to 20 somethings with 1 package pricing but they ended selling more to older generations who wanted cheap reliable transport.
Now it no longer makes sense, and the new iA competes with the Yaris. Check out the latest reviews from autoblog.
iM: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/29/201…
iA: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/29/201…
fhrblig
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:39 |
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Because the market missed Geo so much that Toyota couldn’t help but want to take its place.
The Ghost of Oppo
> Party-vi
06/29/2015 at 11:41 |
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Weird colors and sub par quality
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> fhrblig
06/29/2015 at 11:42 |
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The Ghost of Oppo
> duurtlang
06/29/2015 at 11:44 |
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Most people I knew with tCs or the old xAs were 25 or younger
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The Ghost of Oppo
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:46 |
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They only have a few models in their lineup, and most of them aren’t popular at all
Don’t you mean Buick, Lincoln, or Mitsubishi?
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Jon Resk
> Party-vi
06/29/2015 at 11:48 |
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The xB was a very interesting car that I enjoyed, but current sales don’t really justify the need to have a separate company to operate. Most people who want a cheap car to get them from A to B will settle for a Yaris or any other entry-level Toyota equivalent, no?
Justin Hughes
> For Sweden
06/29/2015 at 11:49 |
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I got my BRZ for less than an FR-S.
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Justin Hughes
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:53 |
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I don’t get it either. People always say “but but but FR-S!!!” as the only good model in Scion’s lineup. There’s no reason why Toyota couldn’t sell it here as the Toyota GT86, just like in the rest of the world. Half the bros already replace their Scion badges with Toyota badges, because JDM, yo.
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Jon Resk
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
06/29/2015 at 11:55 |
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Don’t forget your #scionselfie while you’re at it!
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For Sweden
> Justin Hughes
06/29/2015 at 11:55 |
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K
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The Ghost of Oppo
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:58 |
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The recession had a huge impact on Scion because their target demo was hit hard and buyers in that segment were probably the first to go from considering buying a new car to used
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Jon Resk
> GhostZ
06/29/2015 at 11:58 |
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You win.
DoYouEvenShift
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 11:59 |
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They were targeting the youth market. But I mostly see old people driving Xbs, along with other cars similar to it. So, young people dont like them, but old people trying to stay young do.
Toyota Sucks Lots Of Sausages
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 12:00 |
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Same can be said for GMC-Chevy. GMC as a brand is completely pointless. Just Chevy everything and save bucketload on the cost of branding.
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Jon Resk
> Gated Manual
06/29/2015 at 12:01 |
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What I was thinking exactly. With the iQ and xB gone, maybe (just maybe) their lineup will make more sense. If the two new models offer a slight edge over the Toyota equivalent, we might see increased sales for Scion. If not, I have no idea what could save it or why it would still exist.
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Jon Resk
> Justin Hughes
06/29/2015 at 12:04 |
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Did they get the +3hp or the +6hp badges? It’s quite the steal, really.
In all seriousness, though, life would be so much better if we just had the GT86 here with the extended stock exhaust tips that we obviously can’t have.
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Party-vi
> The Ghost of Oppo
06/29/2015 at 12:19 |
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I mean, you just described the E46 M3.
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Party-vi
06/29/2015 at 12:38 |
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So a cheap car for cheap people?
Sounds about right.
415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 12:44 |
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Yeah Sweden is right, in Japan they don’t think about it the same way, Toyota is king and even a cheaper Toyota doesn’t bring down the name I guess I would say. Toyota does have Crown and Lexus in Japan too, but the Scions are all smaller Toyotas. This is also a country with Kei cars, which are even smaller and cheaper, so these aren’t even the bottom.
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Party-vi
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
06/29/2015 at 12:46 |
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Nah - a cheap car for people. Some people just don’t care about what they drive. There are people that would rather spend money elsewhere than their vehicle. Most of us aren’t like that though.
Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 19:56 |
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It started out as a way to market their entry level cars to younger customers and the young people pretty much ignored the brand. Young families and retirees seemed to like it though and that seems to be where it has stayed.
gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 19:58 |
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http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/scion-has-no-i…
“Quick - what’s a way to make tons of cash as a cheap automobile manufacturer? If you said “make a high-value product that has mass appeal”, then you probably work for Honda, and you should get back to work. The Fit isn’t going to put itself together, now is it?!
If you said “pander to ridiculous stereotypes and treat people like they’re infants”, then step right up, Scion would like to introduce you to their #brand.’
Nobi
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 20:24 |
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That's not true, the Cherokee looks way more like Bane.
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 20:24 |
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They should have never stopped selling the first gen xB. The greatest toaster ever assembled. Minus that one movie about a little toaster, who was also brave.
Nauraushaun
> Jon Resk
06/29/2015 at 22:58 |
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Scion is dumb.
The “FR-S” is a particular mess. Most of the world gets it as the Toyota 86, a throwback to the AE86 and company, both in name and philosophy.
But in America they have to sell it as a Scion because that’s the whole point of Scion. They’ve gone from buckets of heritage to absolutely none at all.