Toyota can't build Scions fast enough
In January, Scion forecasted that they would sell at least 120,000 cars. Now, they're revising that estimate to more than 140,000 although they believe it could be as high as 150,000. The only problem is that they can't build the cars fast enough. Last year, Scion sold 741 cars shy of 100,000 — the first year they sold nationally. Those kinds of growth numbers seem remarkable for such a new brand and accounted for more than half of Toyota's 10 percent increase in US sales. Scion's average sale price of $17,515 is thousands under the current average transacton price for a new vehicle ($24,520).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
William Crabtree 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Good for them! Maybe more companies will see that there is a market for cheap/stylish products. And as their statistics have shown...they not only appeal to the younger generation but also the older generation since they are reliable products that have great gas mileage and space to boot.
I would like to see a slight update on them though. I still don't get the mid-dash speedo, it still rubs me wrong. The addition of cruise control would be the thing to get me to buy one. Also the maybe change the stereo interface and put an engine with just a lil more oooomph in there.
I would be sold if they added/changed those things right there.
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Steve B. 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Wow, and no employee discounts for everyone?
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Sid Ghosh 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I get the tC but the other two are the ugliest cars on the road at the current time. Funny everyone bashed the Aztec but the xB and the other one are A-OK with them. Ugly boxes. Yuk. Even the worst cars from the 80s looked better.
And the most idiotic car names on the planet.
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Stan Baker 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I don't know about where you are, but this town (Austin TX) is positively crawling with xBs (sp?).
Here's the thing. I actually know two owners, both neither particularly young nor hip, who wandered in to the same Toyota dealership and bought the xB because of its utility and in spite of its looks and frankly I think it rides pretty rough.
When I take a look at who is behind the wheel as I pass an xB on the road, they are never driven by those in Scion's presumed demo. I don't think I've seen one driven by anyone under 40, ever.
Any comments?
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Sean 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I drive a tC (which has cruise and a regular speedo and more power btw, and I agree that the xA/xB need cruise, more power is debatable).
xB's and xA's are based on the echo, which has the same anemic power plant and the same wierd "universal" dash configuration.
xA's are weird, xB's are cool (in the toaster kind of way), tC's are sweet (no bias there!).
The target market for the scion brand is 16-28, but the average owner age is something like 36 which says something.
When I was looking for a new car, it was basically a $17k Scion tC versus a $20k+ anything else. The *only* think that the tC didn't have that I would have liked was leather interior, but with the $3k+ difference in price, I can get an aftermarket leather kit ($1.2k).
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David Thomas 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
as gone over many times since Scion launched and gave those 35 year old figures you have to remember teenagers' parents buy a lot of these cars, upping that number. but yes I see older demos driving xBs a lot. I would not go with an xB in wide open places like Austin. In a city like Chicago they are ideal though. Nothing wrong with the tC either. I think Nissan will be next to launch the cheapo/stylish cars to compete. Honda should definitely bring the Fit here to compete as well.
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djSyndrome 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Why does everyone look at the 'average owner' statistic and assume kids aren't driving these things? Doesn't anyone, uh, figure that maybe parents (the owners) are buying these for their kids (the actual driver) in high school or college?
Oh, and while I like them well enough, when it came time to get a new Toyota I settled on a Matrix XRS. The tC wasn't out at the time, but wouldn't have been under consideration anyway as I need four doors (it needs a different engine and a diet anyway).
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Robert Rudorf 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Proof positive that styling is not everything.
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Erik 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I will never understand this
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sirAQUAMAN64 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I'm 24, love the xB's styling, it's huge inside (the back seat is super comfy, even for all 6-4 of me) yet nice and compact outside, economical, inexpensive, loaded with useful options, and if I could buy one (I'm in Canada, but have seen them) I'd even get an accessory or two.
They're fantastic.
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sirAQUAMAN64 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
And that orange one in the photo is my fave colour as well!
Bravo!
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mehool 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
the Tc is a good looking little car. And I like the boxiness of the Xb, something different, yet 80's conservative boxiness. the Xa however looks too Euro-small. Good for Toyota
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Patriotic Dissent 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Proof that there is a strong market for smaller, inexpensive, stylish vehicles. Honda needs to jump in the fray with the Fit/Jazz while it is hot. I'm sure they could sell over 100,000 in the first year.
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mehool 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
Honda shouldn't call it the jazz, that sounds too sissy. like calling it a honda Fizz.
although jazz MUSIC is nice.
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Travis 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
I love older, out-of-touch people commenting on style and fashion. It's like the old saying, "If the music is too lound, YOU'RE TOO OLD." I see people driving some of the ugliest vehicles on the road today, including the much touted MAGNUM (yay, a hearse!), as well as the Armada, H2/H3, PT Cruiser, etc. I'd rank the xB along with these, as it's desireable to its target audience, they're selling 50,000 (more?) per year, and hell, to each their own.
Would I own one? Maybe, if the tC hadn't been so tempting (bought one). It drove well, underpowered but also only $14k, and with its stiff suspension cornered better than a box-on-wheels should have. For an urban car it'd be perfect, and MUCH preferable to an SUV (extra $20 just to park in a parking garage!!) or some long unweildy station wagon like the Magnum.
So before you start in on how ugly the xB is, just remember that there's probably people 10 years younger than you laughing their asses off at whatever monstrosity you're so proud to have wedged in your driveway.
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rjl 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
In case you weren't aware, the xB (BBX in Japan) is an homage to the GMC Safari/Chevrolet Astro which was a hit with some of the tuner youth in Japan.
Actually, an average age of 36 or so means you are hitting your target pretty well. I don't think any brand has average buying ages in the 20s.
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Stan Baker 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
xb. I don't know a thing I didn't read on this page about Scion's admission of their actual sales demos.
My comments are based on unscientific real-world observation on the manic and still-congested highways of Austin TX where you don't need a lot of throttle to get across town at 30 mph and if you are out "in Texas" you have enough room to spend 20 seconds to cruise your way up to 70.
I suppose my obeservations are leading me to this point. If Nissan does indeed bring their Cube to The States and doesn't market it exclusively to the-lesson-of-Mitsuishi demographic, without integrated "ground effects" and perhaps with a stripped cargo-oriented model for businesses they'll surely have a winner. 35-mpg-city, B100-compliant diesel anyone?
The xB probably should've been a Toyota. The people who are actually buying it would be less intimidated by the youth culture image, but who knew ... and those of us near 40 don't listen to cassettes anymore either.
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Sid Ghosh 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
"So before you start in on how ugly the xB is, just remember that there's probably people 10 years younger than you laughing their asses off at whatever monstrosity you're so proud to have wedged in your driveway."
Your're right. 11yrs olds will laugh at my Mazda3.
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Joseph Willemssen 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
The xB is the best small car on the road. If you were a tall person, you'd understand.
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V?or Rubiera 12:29AM (12/19/2005)
If Toyota cant keep demand you can buy a PT Cruiser, this good car grabbs lots of atention.
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