Does Toyota still own Scion?
The short answer: no active Scion brand exists today; Toyota does not operate Scion as a separate marque. The brand was discontinued in 2016, and its remaining models were folded into Toyota’s lineup.
To understand what happened, it helps to look at Scion’s origin, its rise as a youth-oriented label within Toyota, and the decisions that led to its retirement. This article reviews the timeline, what happened to existing models, and the current stance on the Scion name and branding.
Timeline: Rise and retirement of the Scion brand
The following timeline highlights the key milestones that defined Scion’s trajectory and its eventual phase-out.
- 2003 — Scion is launched in North America (United States and Canada) as Toyota’s experiment to attract younger buyers, with models like the xA, xB, and tC introduced over the next year.
- 2004–2005 — Scion expands its lineup and dealer network, emphasizing a no-haggle pricing approach and a distinctive, youthful image.
- 2012–2013 — Scion introduces the FR-S/FT-86 concept and then the FR-S, a sport coupe developed with Subaru, broadening Scion’s appeal beyond compact hatchbacks.
- 2015–2016 — Scion introduces the iM (later renamed Corolla iM) and continues updates to its remaining lineup as Toyota considers consolidation under the Toyota badge.
- 2016 — Toyota announces the discontinuation of the Scion brand; by the end of the year, Scion stores are closed and remaining models are renamed as Toyotas or folded into Toyota’s lineup (e.g., FR-S becomes Toyota 86; iM becomes Corolla iM).
The timeline shows how Scion grew as a distinct brand in the 2000s and how it was ultimately dissolved, with its few surviving models integrated into Toyota’s broader product range. The Scion concept, however, did not vanish from Toyota’s strategic options entirely, as discussed in the current-status section.
Current status and ownership of the Scion name
Here is where things stand today regarding Scion’s branding, dealerships, and intellectual property.
- No active Scion brand or dealer network exists.* Toyota no longer markets or sells vehicles under the Scion name in any market. The brand was retired in 2016, and Scion Centers were closed or converted to Toyota operations.
- Model lineage folded into Toyota: Remaining Scion models were rebranded (for example, the FR-S became the Toyota 86; the Scion iM was renamed Corolla iM, and later evolved into the Corolla Hatchback lineage). Other early Scion models were discontinued rather than carried forward as Scion badges.
- Trademarks and branding: Toyota retains ownership of the Scion name and associated trademarks as part of its corporate IP portfolio, but there are no public plans to revive the Scion brand in the near term. The Scion identity is not actively used in marketing or product development today.
In practical terms, buyers and enthusiasts looking for Scion-affiliated vehicles will find those lineages continued under Toyota branding rather than Scion badges. The absence of a Scion network means customers must engage with Toyota dealerships for related vehicles and services.
Conclusion: What this means for the question of ownership
In answer to whether Toyota still “owns” Scion as a functioning brand, the clear takeaway is that there is no operating Scion brand today. Toyota did own and operate Scion as a separate marque for over a decade, but the brand was retired in 2016. Its models did not vanish entirely—they were integrated into Toyota’s lineup, and the Scion name remains part of Toyota’s intellectual property portfolio, with no announced plans to revive the brand.
Summary
Scion was created by Toyota in the early 2000s to target younger buyers and to diversify Toyota’s product approach in North America. After a decade of growth and several model introductions, Toyota retired Scion in 2016, absorbing its remaining models into Toyota branding and closing the dedicated Scion dealer network. Today, there is no active Scion business, and while Toyota retains the Scion name as part of its IP, there are no public plans to reintroduce Scion as a standalone brand.
