Quote:
Originally Posted by Archer256
I hope you realize that badging this a Scion instead of a Toyota was already a gamble for Toyota lol.
This car will be Scion's "flagship" car.
People aren't in the brand for 3 cars, Also, they start with a Scion move up to a Toyota and then/or a Lexus.
You seem to have misread or ignore the point. The U.S. does not = the world. This car could sell poorly here as a Scion, but then you need to look at global sales. If this does not perform well in the U.S. Toyota needs to look back and think. Is it because it is a Scion? Yes or no, if yes then should we badge this a Toyota? Lexus? Or scrap it? If no - then why not - performance? Features? Price? Obviously this car is good because the world is buying it but why is it not doing well in the U.S.
Scion failing isn't the best thing for Toyota, however Toyota will cut their losses if needed.
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Scion's been failing for years. There is some management politics going on, I feel. They're not sticking to the game plan. Example is the xB. The new gen has 'grown up', with the appearance of it to be targeting previous gen xB owners. This was not what it was supposed to do. The move-up vehicle should be a Highlander or something Toyota.
Also I feel the FT86 was a bit of a prestige tug-of-war that the Scion execs out-stubborned the Toyota North America execs. According to the plan, the FT86 should most definitely be a Toyota. Get the kids into a sporty coupe with the tC, have them move up to Toyota for the FT86.
They kept saying Scion was never about sales volume (and were right if you see their figures) but about being a stepping stone for younger buyers to get into Toyota with. But if they are targeting repeats with the re-done xB that doesn't make sense. Neither does the FT86 as a Scion, because, honestly, after driving it what current Toyota would be interesting as a move-up car?
Doesn't make sense
And it seems Scion/Toyota NA is following what GM did with Saturn.
tC = Ion (to get on the tuner/sport compact bandwagon)
xB = Vue (funky/ugly value box for the masses, in theory)
FT86 = Sky (legitimate sports car because the FWD one gets no respect)
And that worked out real good for GM, didn't it?
The only sensible thing I've seen so far is the iQ.
The iQ is what could potentially be their brand-saver, not the FT86.