Scion FR-S Convertible & subcompact crossover shown at annual dealer meeting - report

[Allch Chcar]

The Crossover is not based on the FRS/BRZ. It's a Toyota concept based on a different platform.

[Reggaeboyz]

Well if Scion goes and Toyota takes over and offer different trims, I think that's going to hurt the BRZ sales. Cause now everyone won't have to get a BRZ if they want the extra goodies it brings...lol its funny how all this stuff plays out.

[vh_supra26]

I think there will be one last attempt to save the Scion brand with this new subcompact CUV and FR-S droptop. But if sales still don't improve than bye bye Scion.

[Braces]

Scion has never built exciting cars with the obvious exception: FRS .... And that car is a toyobaru. i still can't understand why a huge car company would try to use the FRS to save the brand. Toyota would have probably sold more FRS' if it was branded GT86. When I think of Scion .... I unfortunately always envision an inexpensive econobox. If Toyota drops the brand .... Seems like weird timing.
IMHO.

[BANGER]

^ I wonder if the FR-S could have sold more if it was sitting with the other Toyotas in dealerships when people from various groups (parents looking for a school car for their kids, middle age people, etc.) happened to be strolling around the lot. The FR-S stands out so much (in a positive way), but I think it just ends up being hidden in the crap pile that is the Scion section of the dealership.

[thill]

Originally Posted by BANGER

^ I wonder if the FR-S could have sold more if it was sitting with the other Toyotas in dealerships when people from various groups (parents looking for a school car for their kids, middle age people, etc.) happened to be strolling around the lot. The FR-S stands out so much (in a positive way), but I think it just ends up being hidden in the crap pile that is the Scion section of the dealership.

I don't think Toyota/Scion is having a problem selling FR-S's. It is all the other Scion models that don't sell.

That said, if the number of dealerships halves, I suspect Scion will order fewer FR-S models and Subaru may produce more BRZ's.

[vh_supra26]

Last time I checked the FR-S was selling pretty well. Anyways it wouldn't be to hard to rebadge the FR-S, iQ, xB under the Toyota brand. xD would butt heads with the Yaris so that can be killed off and the tC could be replaced by a coupe version of the Corolla.

[BANGER]

Didn't say the FR-S wasn't selling well, but I'm wondering if it could have done way better.
I mean, judging by people's reactions to twin owners, no one knows about it. It still seems pretty obscure outside of the tuner crowd.
For example, I think women think the FR-S is cute. A lot of the FR-S I've seen on the road are women drivers. Correlating this with the fact that a lot of FR-S sitting in lots are automatics, it's a "could have" scenario.

I know the FR-S is selling well, but if it became more a killer-app type car for Toyota, it'd create a nice impact in the industry. But like I said, I think Scion branding and lot-positioning kind of obscures it.
I don't think the vast majority spend much researching what car to buy. They just go to a dealer, kind of happen to find one they like and sign papers same day. And the FR-S is something that can sell itself on looks alone.

Back on topic, I'm just dwelling if the FR-S being a Scion is kind of a vain sales sacrifice to save a doomed name, and thinking Toyota would have been better off just selling it as a Toyota in the first place.

[vh_supra26]

I don't think that it would made much of a differences. FR-S sales more units than 370z and MX-5 Miatas combine.

Has anyone seen or knows what the subcompact CUV looks like.

[Sasquachulator]

Toyota never evolved Scion with the times.
They started off Niche, brought in some niche cars (xB and xA) it got popular (also thanks to the fast and furious crowd) they bring in the tC (a more traditional car vs the other two) saw some success, but then the cars got outdated and replaced with worse versions.

-xB went from pint sized spacious econoBOX with good fuel economy to a bloated square corolla wagon with so so fuel economy.
-xA never took off really, but it was basically a 5 door yaris. so what do they replace it with? A squarer 5 door yaris with a bigger engine and worse fuel economy. A pointless car when there is a real 5 door yaris existing already with Yaris fuel economy.
-tC got squarer, uglier, fatter, hungrier and not any faster than its predecessor. No real incentive to upgrade.

Scion's problem right now is that aside from the FRS (fresh sports car) and the iQ (super niche...but also overpriced and disappointing fuel economy for its size) and maybe to a lesser extent the tC (it seems to be getting some upgrades) the other 2 cars are ridiculously outdated.

Also Toyota doesn't seem to know what it wants to do with Scion now...
I heard upscale but not premium? wouldn't that just encroach on the higher end Toyota models? And then it also wouldn't be inexpensive anymore.
I say they keep it low cost niche, but they just need the products to execute. FRS and iQ already fill niches, but the other three needs a rethink.

I would think they could do this:
-Drop the tC, and have Toyota resurrect the Celica (not as a Scion) Scion can have the RWD FRS, Toyota can have its FWD Celica.
-xB needs to go back to the first gen philosophy. Its not going to see the sales of yore since that fad has died but it'll have its place.
-Drop the xD and don't resurrect it.
-Lower the iQ price and give it a manual transmission. And fix its fuel economy numbers, they should be higher (well for highway, city is already high)
-That crossover SUV better not be a 'me too' SUV like redone RAV4. That'd make it DoA. It needs to be its own thing.
-I'd like to see a mini-truck below the Tacoma (like the old 80's import trucks)
-Perhaps a FJ40 sized small SUV off roader. A real off roader not a crossover. And not a big fat one like the FJ cruiser, a small one like the FJ40.
-Maybe one of those mini-minivans that you'd see in Asia.

[vh_supra26]

At Toyota’s national dealer meeting in Atlanta this month, the Japanese automaker showed off a Scion FR-S convertible concept and a drawing of a subcompact crossover concept, hinting at things to come.

Sales for the Scion brand have been declining after peaking in 2006, so much so that Toyota is allowing dealerships to walk away from the Scion brand without penalty. But those that wish to continue with the brand saw a preview of what’s to come including the FR-S convertible and a crossover.

Last year, Scion head Doug Murtha told AutoGuide in an interview that crossovers weren’t “something we really need,” potentially stating that Scion had no immediate plans to develop one. But with the crossover segment booming, it appears that the automaker is taking a second look. Dealers present at the meeting mentioned that Scion doesn’t “show product they don’t plan on building,” alluding that the FR-S convertible and the crossover will inevitably be green lit.

According to a Toyota source, the subcompact crossover would be smaller than the RAV4 and would compete against Honda’s upcoming crossover based on the Fit hatchback. It would be a wise move for Scion, as its adopters in 2006 are undoubtedly growing older and looking towards other automakers for more “mature” vehicles.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...their-way.html

[vh_supra26]

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

-I'd like to see a mini-truck below the Tacoma (like the old 80's import trucks)

Remember that A-bat concept truck? There were rumors about it being a Scion.

[Demandred7]

I am shocked and amazed at the number of people that are pretty much saying "good riddance" as a result of this news.

In Canada, Scion is a relatively new addition to many dealerships. Moreover, my experience with Guelph Scion is by far the best that I have ever had of any new car purchase.

I definitely agree that Scion needs more new products in the pipeline to be able to maintain the momentum that the FR-S has begun.

I also think that Scion Canada needs more focus on the accessories side of the business. By that, I mean offer: foglights, more spoilers, bring back the TRD intake (not sure why it is no longer offered), shift knobs, knee pads, GT86 headlights, etc.

On the other side of the ledger, these are people's jobs that support their respective families. The economy does not need more people looking for work. It needs more people spending money. Moving money is key to a healthy economy.

Sorry for the rant, but, having been laid off from work several years ago as a result of a downsizing makes me a little angry at a "good riddance" type of attitude.

[strat61caster]

I don't care about the badge or the banner on the building, I care about the hunk of metal I'm spending a lot of money on.

lols to all the people who thought the convertible was dead

If there was a legitimate small truck in the vein of the pre '95 Nissan/Toyota trucks I probably wouldn't have an FRS right now.