"Sky Higa" (higs21)
02/05/2016 at 02:22 • Filed to: Toyota, Scion, Gazoo Racing, Jim Lentz, Lexus
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"Sky Higa" (higs21)
02/05/2016 at 02:22 • Filed to: Toyota, Scion, Gazoo Racing, Jim Lentz, Lexus | 0
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So Mr. Lentz here talks about he oversaw Scion through its inception and eventual end, and notes that the role that Scion originally had, which was to attract young customers, can now be accomplished through the Toyota brand again.
Case in point, Akio Toyoda’s “Waku Doki” philosophy has lead Toyota to produce cars like the 86, and create the successful F-sport brand with Lexus.
In addition to this, Toyota has created their Gazoo Racing logo, which has participated in motorsport activities, and has modified existing road cars in the Toyota lineup.
Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
> Sky Higa
02/05/2016 at 02:35 |
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Remember Toyota Project Genesis, Mr. Lentz?
Check yourself before you wreck yourself, Mr. Lentz.
PanchoVilleneuve ST
> Sky Higa
02/05/2016 at 03:07 |
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Dear Mr. Lentz,
If you want to attract young customers to Toyota, do the following:
1. Take the Corolla Hatchback or whatever the rebadged iM is going to be called (bringing back the Corolla FX name would be rad, FYI).
2. Now free of the whole “single trim, no options besides transmission, everything else is an accessory” thing Scion limited you to, drop the turbo 4 out of the Lexus NX and a three-pedal six-speed into it.
3. Have somebody from Gazoo sort out the handling.
4. Slap a GT-S badge onto it.
5. Hold a pearl white one for me, I have a Focus ST I’d like to trade in.
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PanchoVilleneuve ST
> Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
02/05/2016 at 04:02 |
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Honestly, though, the first two arguably the best in their class at the time in the American market. The MR2 Spyder was a better performing, better handling back-to-basics roadster than the Miata and the Celica, while nowhere near as luxurious and not quite as powerful as the comparable RSX models, drove a hell of a lot better, especially the GT-S, which is without question the best front-drive car I have ever driven.
The problem wasn’t the cars, it was the image, and that’s what led to Scion in the first place. I mean, they fixed everything wrong with the Echo by making it the xB. Except for the fact that only old people (and me) bought one.
The failure has always been “making cars for specifically for young buyers” instead of “making cars with attributes that appeal to young buyers.” The former means you make led-studded iPhone docks like you did with Scion. This is not something anybody wants. Not even THOSE DAMNED MILLENIALS! You know what they do want? Hatchbacks. Low service and repair costs. Decent fuel economy. Non-obtrusive safety features. Good materials and build quality. At least some attention paid to driving dynamics, not necessarily speed, but communicative, precise steering that inspires confidence behind the wheel, and fun when desired. Seriously, Toyota needs to just put one of their engineers behind the wheel of a first-generation xB and have them replicate how that felt. It was perfect.
Honda has done it with the Fit, Ford is doing it with the Fiesta, fucking Hyundai and Kia are doing it with the Accent/Veloster/Rio/Forte/Soul combo. Toyota could, too, if they were willing do to something other than make America’s New Used Car.