Scion (automobile)
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Scion was a marque of Toyota that debuted in 2003 and was available only in the United States and Canada. The marque was intended to appeal to younger customers: the Scion brand emphasized inexpensive, stylish, and distinctive sport compact vehicles, and used a simplified "pure price" sales concept that eschewed traditional trim levels and dealer haggling. Each vehicle was offered in a single trim with a non-negotiable base price, while a range of dealer-installed options was offered to buyers for personalizing their vehicles.<ref name=factsheet/> The Scion name, meaning the descendant of a family or heir, refers both to the brand's cars and their owners.<ref name=sci>Template:Cite news</ref> In an effort to target millennials, Scion primarily relied on guerrilla and viral marketing techniques.
The brand first soft launched in the United States at selected Toyota dealers in the state of California in June 2003, before expanding nationwide by February 2004.<ref name=sci/> Sales peaked in 2006 with 173,034 units sold.<ref name=factsheet/> In 2010, Scion expanded into Canada. However, Toyota's initial propositions of short product cycles and aggressive pricing based on low dealer margins became increasingly unsustainable as sales fell after the financial crisis of 2007–2008.<ref name=rethink>Template:Cite news</ref> Toyota abolished the Scion brand at the start of the 2017 model year in August 2016; the vehicles were either rebranded as Toyotas or discontinued.<ref name = "Scion Brand to Transition to Toyota">Template:Cite press release</ref>
HistoryEdit
In 1999, Toyota launched Project Genesis, an effort to bring younger buyers to the Toyota marque in the United States.<ref name=genesis>Template:Cite journal</ref> This project aimed to create a "marque within a marque" in sales and advertising strategy for compact and coupe models sold by Toyota.<ref name=genesis/> The effort, which included the introduction of the Toyota Echo economy car, along with late generation Toyota MR-2 and Toyota Celica models, was judged unsuccessful and cancelled in 2001.<ref name=genesis/> In response, Toyota chose to launch a separate marque, an effort called Project Exodus. A Los Angeles-based digital design company, Fresh Machine, was retained by Toyota to develop the brand, logo, and website. This project became known as Scion.<ref name=genesis/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Toyota had previously participated in a project in Japan with other Japanese companies who attempted to market products to younger buyers. Toyota manufactured three vehicles under the WiLL brandname, which were exclusive to Toyota Netz Store Japanese dealerships.
Scion was marketed as a youth brand and was first introduced in March 2002, at the New York Auto Show. There were just two concept vehicles, the bbX (which became the xB), and the ccX (which became the tC).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The 2004 xA and xB were unveiled at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show on January 2, 2003. They were available only in 105 Toyota dealerships in California at their initial launch on June 9, 2003. The subsequent rollout of the brand to the South, the Southeast, and the East Coast occurred in February 2004. Scion vehicles were available nationwide in June 2004, coinciding with the release of the 2005 tC.<ref name=sci/> On December 16, 2006, Scion unveiled the next-generation xB, based on the t2B concept, and the new xD, successor of the xA, at an invitation-only, no-camera event in Miami. Both cars were then publicly unveiled on February 8, 2007, at the Chicago Auto Show.<ref name="autoblog-xdus">Template:Cite news</ref> The xD, a five-door subcompact car that is sold in Japan as the second generation Toyota Ist, was based on the Yaris platform with the tenth-generation Corolla's engine.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In September 2010, Scion expanded into Canada, with vehicles offered at 45 selected dealers starting in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, followed by other cities. Launch models included the tC, xD, and xB.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The first new Scions were shown in Canada at the 2009 Montreal International Auto Show.
StrugglesEdit
Sales of the Scion brand were down to a low of 45,678 for the 2010 model year, compared to over 170,000 for 2006. The management tried to resuscitate the brand, hoping to sell 35,000 to 45,000 tC in a year after the model was redesigned for 2011.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 2011, the iQ, an ultra-compact city car, debuted as a 2012 model.<ref name=factsheet/> In April 2012, Jack Hollis (Vice President of Scion) announced that the xB and xD would be dropped after 2012, supposedly in favor of all new models from Toyota's hatchback division, Daihatsu;<ref name=wa>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=am>Template:Cite news</ref> the same month, the FR-S sports car went on sale as a 2013 model.<ref name=factsheet/> Later in 2012—despite the announcement of its imminent discontinuation—a facelifted version of the xB was unveiled.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In late 2013, the xD and second-generation xB were in their seventh year without a substantial redesign, and Scion sales were still far short of their 2006 peak. Toyota began allowing dealers to drop the Scion marque without penalty.<ref name=rethink/> The recently introduced FR-S had strong initial sales, but combined sales of the new FR-S and redesigned tC did not equal sales of the tC alone during 2005 through 2008,<ref name=factsheet/> and industry observers concluded that the FR-S was cannibalizing sales of the similar tC. iQ sales never met expectations, and by 2014, observers were characterizing it as a "disappointment." A primary goal of the Scion brand was to introduce young first-time buyers to Toyota products, but analysts found that relatively few Scion buyers were making follow-on purchases from the more profitable Toyota and Lexus lines, and Gen Y buyers were generally making more pragmatic car-buying choices than their predecessors due to economic factors.<ref name=rethink/>
For the 2015 model year, Scion released the iM hatchback, based on the international Toyota Auris,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the iQ, xB, and xD were discontinued.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="trib-scionending"/> Scion also introduced the iA sedan, a rebadged version of the Mazda2;<ref name="Mañón 2015">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> however, Toyota opted to sell the iA as the Toyota Yaris sedan in Canada.<ref name=yaris_canada>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DiscontinuationEdit
On February 3, 2016, Toyota announced that the Scion brand would be phased out in August after the 2016 model year, stating that the company no longer required a specific marque to target younger demographics. The FR-S, iA, and iM models were amalgamated into the Toyota marque for the 2017 model year as the Toyota 86, Toyota Yaris iA, and Toyota Corolla iM respectively,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> while the tC was discontinued. The then-upcoming C-HR was also moved to the Toyota marque after originally being unveiled as a Scion. The change was not expected to cause disruption to service options, as Scion models were sold and serviced at Toyota dealerships.<ref name="Scion Brand to Transition to Toyota"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="trib-scionending">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
LineupEdit
Pricing, accessories, and availabilityEdit
Scion used sales tools such as "Pure Price" and monospec trim levels with a wide selection of factory and TRD accessories.<ref name=bw>Template:Cite news</ref> Extensive market research and testing with Generation Y consumers formed the basis of the Scion badge.
"Pure Price" means that the price posted, whether on the vehicle, in an advertisement, or on a menu display board in the dealership, was the price customers would pay. This included the vehicle, accessories, finance and insurance products.<ref name=pure>Template:Cite news</ref> Pure Price was designed to ensure a shorter and simpler process, eliminating all negotiation, though it was common for dealers to add aftermarket accessories and mark vehicles up to increase profits. The concept aimed to be open and consistent to all customers. The concept was not new to the U.S. market, having been introduced in the early 1990s by the Geo and Saturn marques of General Motors.<ref name=view>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Scion's sales approach differed greatly from that of the Toyota brand. In the United States, for instance, the Toyota Camry was offered with four different trim levels intended for different crowds (budget-conscious, mainstream, sports-oriented and luxury);<ref name=consumer>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> all Scions, in contrast, had only one standard trim level (monospec) and were designed to be uniquely customized for the driver.<ref name=view/>
Post-production accessoriesEdit
Scion offered about 150 different accessories;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> other after-market companies through the Optōmize Scion program offer to add other accessories, as well.<ref name=aw>Template:Cite news</ref> For example, one can add a subwoofer as well as different types of decals. The tC had offered an optional supercharger to increase power from 161 to 200 hp (120 to 150 kW), but this option was since discontinued in 2007 due to early failure of the bearings inside the centrifugal blower.Template:Citation needed All accessories are sold individually, and do not require special packages. However, some options, such as Ground Effects, do prevent other accessories (such as mud flaps) from being installed.
Companies that participated in the Optōmize Scion program include GReddy, OBX, RÄZO, a few car detailing companies, and others.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Release seriesEdit
Beginning in the second quarter of 2004 with the launch of the 2004 Scion xB RS 1.0 (Release Series 1.0), followed by the Scion xA RS 1.0, Scion decided to create limited edition vehicles pre-packaged with exclusive accessories in limited quantities.<ref name=xa1>Template:Cite news</ref> Limited Edition vehicles from a marketing standpoint were used to create a buzz for the brand name, with their exterior colors tending to be loud or bright hues (e.g. orange, yellow, red, blue, green).<ref name=xd2>Template:Cite news</ref> Because of the growing popularity of the Scion product line and the scarce production runs (most dealers only get 2-3 of each RS model), these limited edition vehicles quickly sold out. Pre-ordering is available at each dealership on a first-come, first-served basis. To the customer's benefit, Scion's "Pure Price" MSRP bounds dealerships against market-demand vehicle mark-up.<ref name=pure/> Naturally, resale values of Release Series vehicles command a premium because of their packaged options and scarcity.<ref name=xb6>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2004
- xB RS 1.0 only available in Hot Lava Orange with 2100 units produced (504 units w/5spd, 1596 units w/automatic) <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- xA RS 1.0 only available in Absolutely Red with 1550 units produced<ref name=xa1/>
2005
- xB RS 2.0 only available in Solar Yellow with 2500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- xA RS 2.0 only available in Spectra Blue Mica with 1700 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- tC RS 1.0 only available in Absolutely Red with 2500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2006
- xB RS 3.0 only available in Envy Green with 2200 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- xA RS 3.0 only available in Stingray Metallic light blue with 2500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- tC RS 2.0 only available in Blue Blitz Mica with 2600 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- xB RS 4.0 only available in Maziora Torched Penny (polarized goldish brown) with 2500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2007
- tC RS 3.0 only available in Blizzard White with 2500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2008
- xB RS 5.0 only available in Gold Rush Mica with 2500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- tC RS 4.0 only available in Galactic Gray Mica with 2300 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- xD RS 1.0 only available in Hot Lava Orange with 2000 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2009
- xB RS 6.0 only available in Absolutely Red with 2500 units produced<ref name=xb6/>
- tC RS 5.0 only available in Gloss Black with 2000 units produced<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
- xD RS 2.0 only available in Wasabi Green with 2000 units produced<ref name=xd2/>
2010
- xB RS 7.0 only available in Murasaki Purple with 2000 units produced<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- tC RS 6.0 only available in Speedway Blue with 1100 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2011
- xB RS 8.0 only available in Voodoo Blue with 2200 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- xD RS 3.0 only available in xPRESSO with 1500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2012
- xB RS 9.0 only available in Hot Lava with 1500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- xD RS 4.0 only available in Blizzard Pearl with 800 units produced<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- tC RS 7.0 only available in High Voltage Yellow with 2200 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2013
- tC RS 8.0 Only available in Absolutely Red with 2000 units produced<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
2014
- FR-S RS 1.0 Only available in Yuzu Yellow with 1500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
- xB RS 10.0 Only available in Electric Quartz with 1500 units produced<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2015
- tC RS 9.0 Only available in Two-Tone Black/Orange color with 2000 units produced.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
2016
- FR-S RS 2.0 Only available in a bright smoked color called "Lunar Storm" with cloth and brown leather seat sidings, with the steering wheel having half of brown and half of black with it having white stitching, as well as the interior panels having brown leather, and the interior having brown stitching with 1000 units produced. The badge is located in the passenger side airbag in cloth stitching.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
Target marketEdit
In 2007, the median age of a Toyota consumer was 54 years old. Comparatively, Scion's average buyer age at that time was lowest in the industry, at 39.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Initially, Scion's first two cars (the xA and xB), while unusual for American roads, were well received among consumers not interested in standard entry-level vehicles.<ref name=view/> The tC was also well received with brisk sales.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The marque's best-selling year was 2006, with 173,000 vehicles sold. Sales dropped in the ensuing years, to 57,961 vehicles in 2009. By 2010, the tC was the mainstay of the brand, accounting for over 40% of all Scions sold since the brand was established.<ref name=Fortune>Template:Cite news</ref> However, some sales of the second-generation tC were cannibalized by the similar FR-S.<ref name=rethink/> In the U.S., sales of the xB declined after the introduction of the second generation, from a peak of over 60,000 to 17,017 in 2011; sales of the xD fell to 9,573 in 2011 from 32,603 in 2006.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
By the time it was discontinued, over a million Scion-branded cars were sold. Over 70% were sold to people new to Toyota and just over 50% of the cars sold were to people under the age of 35; tC buyers had an average age of 29, the lowest in the industry.<ref name="Scion Brand to Transition to Toyota"/><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
AdvertisingEdit
To advertise Scion, Toyota began a promotional campaign using a form of guerrilla marketing, using posters and ads in movie theaters and TV to direct consumers to its various "want2bsquare" web sites.<ref name=bw/><ref name=aw/> Scion's marketing endeavors extended to sponsorships, such as that of VBS.tv's show, Thumbs Up!, which featured David Choe hitchhiking across the United States. Scion sponsored two commercials featuring Concours race car driver Matt Verbin during the Castle Hill Concours d'Elegance, showing him racing a custom painted yellow and orange xB on Cambridge streets. Scion also teamed with Gaia Online, providing the xB, xD, and tC as a choice for user cars, as well as other things across the site.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Scion also used smaller, regional viral campaigns to reach niche demographics. Online campaigns such as Scion xPressionism allowed a user to modify and design their own Scion with graphics, decals, and aftermarket car parts. Online advertising, much of it quirky and offbeat, was part of Scion's marketing mix for both these campaigns and for the launch of new models. Shows like Slick's Picks went around the country interviewing artists, stores, and events and put short videos on the site. Scion Radio 17 was an internet-radio initiative that features 17 non-mainstream channels, ranging from rock and hip hop to electro and soul.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Scion AV served as the brand's lifestyle marketing initiative, funding projects in music, art, and film.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In August 2008, Scion released the "United by Individuality" ad campaign, featuring over 300 Scion owners' vehicles in various magazine articles, commercials, and billboards. The latest commercial video showed a convoy of Scions parading through the desert in Boulder City, Nevada. These videos and ads could be seen on Scion's website.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
SalesEdit
| Model | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR-S | 0 | 11,417 | 18,327 | 14,062 | 10,507 | 54,313 | |||||||||
| iQ | 0 | 248 | 8,879 | 4,046 | 2,040 | 482 | 15,695 | ||||||||
| tC | 28,062 | 74,415 | 79,125 | 63,852 | 40,980 | 17,998 | 15,204 | 22,433 | 22,666 | 19,094 | 17,947 | 16,459 | 9,336 | 427,571 | |
| xB | 6,936 | 47,013 | 54,037 | 61,306 | 45,834 | 45,220 | 25,461 | 20,364 | 17,017 | 19,789 | 17,849 | 16,583 | 15,223 | 392,632 | |
| xD | 10,948 | 27,665 | 14,499 | 10,110 | 9,573 | 10,756 | 9,005 | 7,377 | 794 | 100,727 | |||||
| xA | 3,962 | 24,184 | 28,033 | 32,603 | 9,547 | 39 | 3 | 98,371 | |||||||
| iA | 7,605 | 7,605 | |||||||||||||
| iM | 5,097 | 5,097 | |||||||||||||
| Total | 10,898 | 99,259 | 156,485 | 173,034 | 130,181 | 113,904 | 57,961 | 45,678 | 49,271 | 73,507 | 68,321 | 58,009 | 56,167 | 1,092,675<ref name = "Scion Brand to Transition to Toyota"/> |
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Template:Official website - Canada
- Template:Official website - USA
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