Who is Scion FR-S owned by?

Toyota Motor Corporation owns the Scion FR-S. The car was developed by Toyota in collaboration with Subaru and was marketed in the United States under the Scion banner; after Scion was retired in 2016, the model has continued under the Toyota 86 name (and GT86/GR86 branding in various regions).

To understand ownership, it’s helpful to trace the brand structure, the collaboration with Subaru, and how regional naming has evolved since the FR-S first appeared.

Ownership and Brand Structure

The following points summarize who holds ownership and how the branding works for the FR-S family.

• Owner and brand: The Scion FR-S is owned by Toyota Motor Corporation, as part of Toyota's Scion sub-brand (now retired). The core vehicle lineage continues under the Toyota brand as the Toyota 86 in most markets.


• Co-development: The FR-S was developed in a joint project with Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries), with Subaru contributing to the platform and engineering; Subaru also produced the BRZ based on the same architecture.


• Brand status: Scion was a standalone brand created by Toyota for the US market and was discontinued in 2016; the FR-S name was used only during the Scion era in the United States.


• Current branding: In most regions today, the car is sold as Toyota 86 or Toyota GR86 (newer versions), depending on the market and generation.

The key takeaway is that Toyota holds ownership of the FR-S model. The Scion label has been retired, while the car's lineage continues under the Toyota umbrella via the Toyota 86 family, with Subaru remaining a development partner rather than an owner.

Regional Naming and Market Status

Car buyers around the world have encountered different names for this platform, reflecting branding decisions and market evolution.

• North America: The model appeared as Scion FR-S from 2013 to 2016; post-2016, it was rebranded under Toyota as the Toyota 86 (also marketed as GT86 in some regions within Europe/Japan).


• Europe and Japan: Initially known as Toyota GT86 or simply 86; later generations and variants adopted the Toyota 86/GR86 naming, aligning with Toyota's global performance lineup.


• Co-development context: Subaru's BRZ is the counterpart developed from the same architecture, owned by Subaru; however, the Scion FR-S and its Toyota 86 lineage remain under Toyota's ownership and branding strategy.

In short, the Scion FR-S is owned by Toyota Motor Corporation, with Subaru contributing to its development; the Scion brand is discontinued, and the car continues its life under the Toyota 86 family worldwide.

Summary

The Scion FR-S is owned by Toyota Motor Corporation. It originated from a collaborative project with Subaru, but the ownership of the model rests with Toyota; the Scion brand has been retired, and the car now survives as Toyota 86 (GT86/GR86 in various markets), maintaining the FR-S’s performance legacy within Toyota’s branding framework.

What are common FR-S problems?

Buying a Used Scion FR-S

• Bad Clutch Release Bearing. While Scion offered the FR-S with a six-speed automatic transmission, performance wasn't as strong.
• Cracked Oil Drain Plug. It's always a good idea to have your oil changed by an experienced mechanic.
• Bad Valve Springs.
• Heavily Modified Models.

Why did Toyota kill off Scion?

Toyota discontinued the Scion brand due to a combination of declining sales, the inability to connect with its target younger demographic, and internal redundancy with the Toyota brand itself. The 2008 financial crisis impacted young buyers' ability to purchase new cars, and competitors like Hyundai and Kia offered more appealing value propositions, making it harder for Scion to succeed. Ultimately, Scion's models were no longer compelling enough and cannibalized sales from Toyota's own entry-level cars, so the brand was absorbed into the Toyota lineup.
 

• Failed to connect with target audience: Scion was created to attract younger buyers, but it struggled to win them over in significant numbers. The vehicles were not seen as compelling enough, and the target demographic's financial limitations also played a role. 
• Internal competition: Scion's lineup became too similar to Toyota's own compact cars, such as the Corolla. Since the Toyota brand offered better resale value and brand recognition, consumers often chose the Toyota over a Scion, even when both were sold at the same dealerships. 
• Intensified market competition: Other brands, particularly Hyundai and Kia, improved their offerings with better styling, longer warranties, and stronger marketing, increasing the competitive pressure on Scion. 
• Product lineup issues: Some Scion models, like the FR-S, were praised by automotive press for their handling but lacked desired features like a more powerful engine option, which hurt sales. New models also failed to generate sufficient interest. 
• Financial strain: Declining sales and the cost of maintaining the separate brand made it a financial burden for Toyota. 

In February 2016, Toyota announced it was ending the Scion brand and folding the remaining models into the main Toyota brand, allowing them to continue to be sold as Toyotas.

Do Scions have Toyota engines?

Yes, all Scion cars were equipped with Toyota engines because Scion was a brand of Toyota, and its vehicles were either based on existing Toyota platforms or were rebadged Toyota models. This means Scion cars share many parts and mechanical components with Toyota vehicles, ensuring reliability and making parts readily available.
 

• Brand of Toyota: Scion was a division of Toyota, created to target younger demographics, and was absorbed back into Toyota in 2016. 
• Shared mechanics: Scion vehicles often shared engines with their Toyota counterparts. For example, the 2016 Scion tC used the same 2.5L engine as the 2016 Toyota Camry. 
• Rebadged models: Some Scion models were simply rebadged Toyota cars, such as the Scion iM, which became the Toyota Corolla iM. 
• Parts availability: Because the parts are shared, Scion owners can find replacement parts easily through Toyota dealerships and service centers. 

Is a Scion FR-S made by Toyota?

The Scion FR-s is a sports car developed by Toyota and Subaru. It features a rear wheel drive drivetrain and 2+2 seating.