Why did Toyota abolish Scion?
In 2016, Toyota announced that it would be discontinuing its Scion brand, a decision that surprised many in the automotive industry. Scion, which was launched in 2003 as a separate brand targeting younger buyers, had struggled to maintain sales and market share in recent years. The decision to abolish Scion was a strategic move by Toyota to streamline its product lineup and better align the brand with its core values.
The Rise and Fall of Scion
Scion was launched in 2003 as a separate brand under the Toyota umbrella, with the goal of attracting younger, more urban-oriented buyers. The brand was known for its quirky, unconventional vehicle designs, such as the boxy xB and the sporty tC coupe. Scion's marketing strategy also emphasized customization and personalization, allowing buyers to choose from a wide range of accessories and options to make their vehicles unique.
Initially, Scion was a success, with sales peaking in 2006 at over 173,000 units. However, as the years went on, Scion's sales began to decline, and the brand struggled to maintain its relevance in an increasingly competitive market. By 2015, Scion's sales had dropped to just over 56,000 units, a far cry from its earlier success.
Reasons for Scion's Demise
There were several factors that contributed to Scion's decline and eventual abolition:
- Changing consumer preferences: As the economy recovered from the Great Recession, younger buyers began to shift their preferences towards larger, more practical vehicles, rather than the quirky, compact models that Scion was known for.
- Lack of product diversity: Scion's product lineup was relatively limited, with only a few models available. This made it difficult for the brand to keep up with the rapidly changing preferences of its target market.
- Overlap with Toyota brand: Many of Scion's models were essentially rebadged Toyota vehicles, which made it difficult for the brand to differentiate itself and establish a unique identity.
- Marketing challenges: Scion's marketing strategy, which emphasized customization and personalization, was not as effective as Toyota had hoped, and the brand struggled to build a strong emotional connection with its target audience.
Ultimately, Toyota decided that the best course of action was to discontinue the Scion brand and fold its remaining models into the Toyota lineup. This allowed the company to streamline its product offerings and focus on its core brand, which was better positioned to meet the changing needs of the market.
How much is a 2016 Scion iA worth?
2016 Scion iA Depreciation
A 2016 Scion iA has depreciated $4,189 or 39% in the last 3 years and has a current resale value of $6,302 and trade-in value of $4,919.
Are Scion parts still made?
It doesn't matter if your xA or iQ are no longer in production, Toyota still builds and tests OEM Scion parts. Olathe Toyota Parts Center stocks these genuine Scion parts and accessories. The Scion is a dependable vehicle, but everyday use can cause some parts to wear out.
What replaced the Toyota Scion?
The Scion iM was rebranded as the rebadged Toyota Corolla iM, and evolved into the Corolla Hatchback.
How long will a Scion last?
However, it is common for a well-maintained Scion xB to exceed 200,000 miles, with many smart owners passing the 450,000-mile mark with regular maintenance and timely repairs, according to CarParts.com.
What is the best year Scion xB to buy?
Based on consumer reports and recall records, here are the most reliable Scion xB years that you should consider:
- 2008 Scion xB.
- 2009 Scion xB.
- 2011 Scion xB.
- 2012 Scion xB.
- 2015 Scion xB.
Why did Toyota discontinue the Scion?
However, market preference changes with time, and Scion found itself in trouble when its intended market lost its penchant for attention-grabbing cars. Suddenly, those young buyers grew up and had no interest in over-amplified sound systems, undercarriage neon lights, supercharger kits, or funky wheels.
Will Scion ever come back?
It's always possible Toyota could decide to bring back Scion vehicles in the coming years. However, for the time being, it seems Scion has met its end, and Toyota is not continuing forward with its side branch of cars. The CoPilot car shopping app is the smartest way to buy a car.
What year Scion xB to avoid?
While the Scion xB generally fares well in reliability, it's essential to be mindful of its problematic years - particularly 2006, 2008, and 2009.
How was Scion killed?
Scion allowed himself to feel true hope, just for a moment. When that hope died, Scion gave up. As he was impaled by two bolts affected by Foil's power, he offered no resistance.
Why did Scion flop?
Interestingly, one of the reasons Scion failed was that their target demographic were not buying into the brand at all (for multiple reasons) but the older, middle aged people were the ones buying into it.
