What Is He Smoking? Scion Brand Manager Thinks New tC and iQ Will Save The Brand

Scion brand manager Jack Hollis tells the WSJ that

    The sales are nowhere where they should be and they will never be this low again

And with only 29,672 units sold through 2010, he ain’t kidding either (well, except for maybe the last part). Meanwhile, with the Yen headed up, profits on Scion’s small, Japanese-built offerings aren’t in great shape either. In short, it is with good reason that Scion is the subject of the most-recent TTAC Deathwatch. Meanwhile, Scion’s bid for renewed relevance hangs on the success of two cars: the neo-Corolla Coupe tC, and the A-Segment Scion iQ three-seater. TTAC will have an early review of the tC before the end of the week, but before we get into the specifics of that vehicle, let’s ponder the wider question of Scion’s viability. Will these two cars bring back Scion’s sales to their previous levels? Let’s take a look at Scion’s historical sales for answers…




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trymee - 9/15/2010 3:05:24 PM

+3 Boost

i like the tc, but the iq... is like a small box with wheels..

izfuney - 9/15/2010 3:05:39 PM

+3 Boost

Whats is he smokin !!! I mean, dude come on!!!
This manager acts like sales are based on Marketing surveys and product placement plans. Like anybody is interested in fun small cars that are reasonably priced and allow for customization. i mean why buy a 180 hp scion with a built in panoramic roof for 18k when you can an even slower an way more expensive FWD Audi A3 for 33k .. or what bout that KIA thingie on 15 inch steel wheels ....

Boy ! when will he get the memo that the best product design consultant is right here Agent009, and man if you ask nicely he will come out of him moms basement and give you great advice,
but not on Mondays and Fridays as he has to wash his underwear and sheets. And not during Warcraft Orc fantasy days either ,,, For that matter the calender shall be put up for all manufacturers shortly on this site.
Thank you for understanding ...

800over - 9/15/2010 3:29:52 PM

+4 Boost

009 likes to make the news, not report it.

Agent009 - 9/15/2010 4:07:43 PM

-3 Boost

The key problem here is the the cars truly lack relevance with the intended audience.

Think the sector is dead? Nope, Kia sold over 7,000 Soul models in August vs 1965 Scion xB models. Take a look at each one and tell me which is more youthful.

These two new redesigns fall far from the mark to save Scion.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 9/15/2010 4:13:27 PM

+6 Boost

the iQ might be a big hit. I mean it only has one other competitor which is expensive and not very fuel efficient

thstone - 9/15/2010 4:25:34 PM

-2 Boost

These look like some poor Chinese design copy (I see a lot of Fiat 500 in one and a downsized Camaro in the other) than a new automotive take on today's youth.

0to60 - 9/15/2010 9:10:53 PM

+3 Boost

I liked it as a toyota more. I think it will be successful.

Whelan - 9/15/2010 10:04:03 PM

+2 Boost

The little smart car won't be anything special. smart cars only sold when gas was $4 a gallon. The tC is lame and outdated and needs a TRD version with suspension, appearance, and power upgrades. Turbo would be nice.

2ndbimmer - 9/17/2010 1:19:29 PM

+1 Boost

agreed. The tC came out as all show, zero go! A turbo would be great for it and the tuner kids would go nuts for it. its a nice vehicle for a 16 year old girl, but other than that, it just needs to be able to be tuned and broken down easily like a jeep wrangler so it can be customized appropriately.