Scion News: Scion Plans A Major Overhaul Of Its Lineup

[William Maley]

Scion has been hamstrung for the past couple of years with an aging lineup. While new models such as the FR-S and updated tC have helped somewhat, Scion's sales have been declining. But the brand is planning to overhaul their lineup starting next year.

Speaking on the sidelines of the New York Auto Show with Automotive News, Scion vice president Doug Murtha said the brand is planning to replace three of its five models starting next year. The first new model will be shown at the LA Auto Show. Murtha didn't give any details about what segment the new model would be in, but did hint at a possible direction.

“From a segment context, Scion has always been about entry compact and subcompact, and that will remain our center of gravity,” Murtha said.

“Would we be interested in other body styles? The answer is always yes. We may mix things up a bit as we find a new direction for the brand.”

The mostly likely candidates for replacement for the xB and xD models. The two models are currently into their seventh year of their lifecycle. The other candidate for replacement is the iQ city car.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[Drew Dowdell]

They are going to pull a Mitsubishi if they don't stick with what made them initially popular.

[FAPTurbo]

I don't think young people who can afford cars want a relic from the Limp Bizkit era like the xB.

Kia and Hyundai understand this and make vehicles that appeal to someone who is young but can own it into their early 30's without appearing like a D-bag.

[David]

I expect Scion to do a slow death due to Toyota trying to figure out how to get back on top of the game since they have strong challanges from Korea and the US again on top of Europe pushing hard. I would be surprised if Scion is here after 2020.

After all, Toyota already has cars in this segment and there is really nothing special Scion offers or ever did.

[regfootball]

Scion is so contrived.

I would say fold em, but alternatively if they could innovate in the city cars / small cars niche they could really prosper.

Scion really doesn't have SUV's either and that is what so many are going ape $h! on these days. LOL maybe Scion needs a midsize sedan. A tech tour de force.

[ocnblu]

A true compact pickup...

[Drew Dowdell]

I expect a compact crossover that is Chevy Trax sized... Every brand is going to build those.

[cletus8269]

I thought I heard somewhere that Toyota was allowing dealerships to back out of selling scions without any penalties for dropping their contracts not too long ago.

[Drew Dowdell]

Yeah, we had an article on it

[David]

Scion could survive if they truly go back to the original Formula of Sub Sub Compact, Sub Compact and Compact and nothing else. Have it in sedan, coupe, CUV and true Mini Pickup.

They should have a series of trucks like the Mich Truck.

http://www.michtrucks.com/

Or something like this old but cool mini truck.

[David]

Some additional versions of Mini Trucks. I think Scion should focus on this.

[daves87rs]

I don't think young people who can afford cars want a relic from the Limp Bizkit era like the xB.

Kia and Hyundai understand this and make vehicles that appeal to someone who is young but can own it into their early 30's without appearing like a D-bag.

/this...

[A Horse With No Name]

Shows that toyota has at least as much sense as my cat. My cat likes to bury his turds in the literbox, Toyota is going to show Scion the same fate, methinks.

Edited April 29, 2014 by A Horse With No Name