Who manufactures Scion?
Scion is an automotive brand that was owned and operated by Toyota Motor Corporation. Scion was launched in 2003 as a separate division of Toyota, targeting younger, urban consumers with a lineup of distinctive, affordable vehicles.
The Origins of Scion
Scion was created by Toyota in the early 2000s as a way to attract a younger demographic to the Toyota brand. The company wanted to offer a lineup of vehicles that had a more youthful, edgy design and appeal to the tastes of younger, urban buyers. Scion was launched in 2003 as a separate division of Toyota, with its own unique branding and marketing approach.
Scion's Vehicle Lineup
Over the course of its 13-year history, Scion offered a relatively small but distinctive lineup of vehicles. Some of the most well-known Scion models included:
- Scion xA: A subcompact hatchback introduced in 2004
- Scion xB: A boxy, distinctive compact car introduced in 2004
- Scion tC: A sporty, two-door compact coupe introduced in 2004
- Scion iQ: A tiny, ultra-compact city car introduced in 2011
- Scion FR-S: A rear-wheel-drive sports car co-developed with Subaru, introduced in 2012
Scion's vehicles were known for their unique, customizable designs, as well as their relatively affordable pricing and Toyota-backed reliability.
The End of the Scion Brand
Despite initial success, Scion struggled to maintain sales and market share in the later years of its existence. In 2016, Toyota announced that it would be phasing out the Scion brand, with all Scion models being absorbed into the Toyota lineup. The last Scion-branded vehicles were sold in 2016, and the brand was officially discontinued.
While Scion's run was relatively short-lived, the brand played an important role in Toyota's efforts to appeal to younger, more urban-focused consumers. The distinctive Scion models and marketing approach helped to broaden Toyota's appeal and introduce the company to a new generation of car buyers.
