Toyota considering moving Scion upmarket. FR-S variants could pave the way

[Saber_TRD]

"There's a cost to provide that outstanding Lexus customer service," Lentz said. "We don't want to lose that, and we don't want to cheapen our cars."

Even Lexus is making jabs at how cheap Scion is.

"The same body can't do a coupe for Scion and a convertible for Toyota," Lentz said.

You don't say, guess that's why it was made as a Toyota everywhere else and not intended for the Scion brand.

There's another possibility cited by some insiders: Fold entry-level Scion products back into the Toyota brand. With the Corolla aiming for younger buyers, it's starting to play in Scion's original sandbox. Lentz discounted that possibility.

Dissention in the ranks, I knew this already talking to my local dealership, maybe the higher ups should start listening to their employees if they won't listen to their fans.

funding and staff for low-volume niche products only sold in the United States and Canada has a low priority, Lentz said.

Another reason the FR-S should have stayed with Toyota as the 86 in North America. Also another reason to fold Scion into Toyota.

Originally Posted by Calidrifter

Sounds like the perfect spot for either a new Celica or even MR

Don't even give Scion the idea of taking those name plates.

[HunterGreene]

So, if this weren't a prank, that means Scion would be Toyota's version of Buick. Not exactly the most appetizing choice, but at least we would be big in China.

Oh, and as far as bringing the Supra, Celica, and MR into the Scion brand...I'm all for it, if just to watch people like SaberTRD lose his mind. Its still a Toyota, folks.

[Saber_TRD]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

So, if this weren't a prank, that means Scion would be Toyota's version of Buick. Not exactly the most appetizing choice, but at least we would be big in China.

Oh, and as far as bringing the Supra, Celica, and MR into the Scion brand...I'm all for it, if just to watch people like SaberTRD lose his mind. Its still a Toyota, folks.

I'd shit bricks, flip tables, throw the bricks that were shat through windows of Toyota, then remember I gave up on Toyota and I'm with Chevy now, for the time being, until I find a new "home". It'd be too late to save me from the consequences of my rampage though.

Scion is not Toyota. Scion is the stripping out of Toyota's quality, thus removing it's Toyota spirit, entity, status, take your pick. (Your bait was successful, enjoy your cookie.)

[f0rge]

If they want to come close to the CLA and "entry-luxury" they're going to have to do something drastic about the quality of the interior, the look of the radios, the NVH, and the ridiculous road noise.

All of these things would make the car heavier and more expensive, and I cant see either of those happening any time soon.

[cfusionpm]

I really think it's funny that people somehow think that Scion is some completely different entity from Toyota. I mean, there aren't even stand alone Scion dealers... It's like the Scion department of the Toyota lot. Goes to the same service station, same parts depot, only thing different is their desks are on the other side of the room.

I've owned a Scion tC for 8 years and now an FR-S. I never understood why people freak out because the Toyota badge isn't on the front...

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by Saber_TRD

I'd shit bricks, flip tables, throw the bricks that were shat through windows of Toyota, then remember I gave up on Toyota and I'm with Chevy now, for the time being, until I find a new "home". It'd be too late to save me from the consequences of my rampage though.

Thanks, I needed that. I only troll when its that damn obvious.

Originally Posted by Saber_TRD

Scion is not Toyota. Scion is the stripping out of Toyota's quality, thus removing it's Toyota spirit, entity, status, take your pick. (Your bait was successful, enjoy your cookie.)

I'd have to ask what you base that opinion on. As stated, with the exception of the FR-S (built by Subaru), Scions are toyotas. They sell the same cars under the Toyota badge in other countries, so they are mechanically the same cars, built in the same plants with the same parts. Quality, logically, wouldn't differ all that much.

[Saber_TRD]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

I really think it's funny that people somehow think that Scion is some completely different entity from Toyota. I mean, there aren't even stand alone Scion dealers... It's like the Scion department of the Toyota lot. Goes to the same service station, same parts depot, only thing different is their desks are on the other side of the room.

I've owned a Scion tC for 8 years and now an FR-S. I never understood why people freak out because the Toyota badge isn't on the front...

I was mostly joking in my rant response but it really does come down to the lost quality. I mean, bare metal in the trunk? Really? Was it necessary to remove the liner? or the lights from the vanity mirrors? or the option for leather heated seats? fog lights? under car covers that improve coefficient of drag thus improving performance and fuel mileage? everything else that's in the list linked in my sig?

Oh but then it's more expensive! Well, that's why they are mostly options and don't have to be taken, thus not increasing price if you don't want to. Oddly enough, most people who say they don't want the extras aren't complaining that the FR-S forced them to have the 17" wheels option instead of the 16" or the white tach, or extra speakers for the stereo. They all complain about the extra weight of the options that were left out, should they be made available to those who want them, but they don't complain about the ones they were forced to have. Seems hypocritical to me. If the car was released as a Toyota they could have purchased a G86 and it would have been cheaper than an FR-S and those of us wanting the GT86 Limited could have had our options with the higher price we'd willingly pay.

That is one of the major reason I hate Scion and I'm sure the reason why people wanted the Toyota badge.

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by Saber_TRD

I was mostly joking in my rant response but it really does come down to the lost quality. I mean, bare metal in the trunk? Really? Was it necessary to remove the liner? or the lights from the vanity mirrors? or the option for leather heated seats? fog lights? under car covers that improve coefficient of drag thus improving performance and fuel mileage? everything else that's in the list linked in my sig?

Oh but then it's more expensive! Well, that's why they are mostly options and don't have to be taken, thus not increasing price if you don't want to. Oddly enough, most people who say they don't want the extras aren't complaining that the FR-S forced them to have the 17" wheels option instead of the 16" or the white tach, or extra speakers for the stereo. They all complain about the extra weight of the options that were left out, should they be made available to those who want them, but they don't complain about the ones they were forced to have. Seems hypocritical to me. If the car was released as a Toyota they could have purchased a G86 and it would have been cheaper than an FR-S and those of us wanting the GT86 Limited could have had our options with the higher price we'd willingly pay.

That is one of the major reason I hate Scion and I'm sure the reason why people wanted the Toyota badge.

So you are more upset that the options aren't available standard as opposed to build quality. Sorry, I misunderstood.

[UnOvertime]

I love these threads, it makes me chuckle. I see all the hate for Scion because "it is not Toyota". Everyone makes it seem like Scion steals the cars from Toyota and strips them down and says "hey we designed this car from the ground up". They are the SAME company. They are marketed to different segments of the consumer base. ANY successful business does this.

Oh and for those who protest:
"© 2013 Scion, a marque of Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Scion is a registered trademark of Toyota Motor Corporation"
Marque - a brand or make of a product - Merriam-Webster

[cruzinbill]

Sounds to me like this lentz guy needs to be fired. He seems like a money hungry bastard that doesn't care what happens to the company after he makes his quick buck. If scion were to keep budget friendly nice cars as they currently have it would be fine. Just offer a few more options on the stuff they have.

Whatever happened to when the TC came out you could add a ton of customization to it? Ricey or not it made people buy it to have somthing unique. Then to basically say he's too good to drop a Lexus under 30k???? Why not just go ahead an close up shop to Mercedes. If you can't compete people will move on. Being a snob about things won't change the market.

On top of that scion has been much better customer service than any dealings with Lexus I've had.

[frsinpa]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

I really think it's funny that people somehow think that Scion is some completely different entity from Toyota. I mean, there aren't even stand alone Scion dealers... It's like the Scion department of the Toyota lot. Goes to the same service station, same parts depot, only thing different is their desks are on the other side of the room.

I've owned a Scion tC for 8 years and now an FR-S. I never understood why people freak out because the Toyota badge isn't on the front...

1 word: fanboyism

[Saber_TRD]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

So you are more upset that the options aren't available standard as opposed to build quality. Sorry, I misunderstood.

That is part of quality. Materials used, how they use them, options, features, all improve the quality of a vehicle. This is a small example, but something like the trunk liner is sad on Scion's part. Can't even be bothered with that bit of quality to make it look a little nicer and offer some sound deadening. Doesn't even weigh that much. But that is part of quality and would even fit in your build quality thought. It's really sad, the lengths Scion went to in order to reduce the quality. I also offer up as an example the Scion 10 limited edition and it's pep boys glowy shift knob. It's embarrassing, really.

[Osiris]

I, honestly, would not mind to see Scion folded into Toyota, but who really cares? They're going to make their corporate decisions to do what's best for the company. The only thing WE have to worry about is the new cars they're going to put out. I see myself buying a new Supra. I highly doubt they'll put it out as a Scion Supra. Perhaps it will not be an ACTUAL new Supra but rather a car heavily inspired by the Supra. (Power-house turbo charged engine) I'd like to see an AWD WRX/EVO type vehicle come out of Toyota. Probably just wishful thinking though, sadly. New GT-FOUR anyone?

[RRnold]

A failure waiting to happen!