Toyota plans to discontinue its iconic Scion xB and the ill-remembered xD, in accordance with Ward's Auto.
Scion Vice chairman Jack Hollis told Ward's that the emblem didn't "have plans for an immediate xB or xD replacement."
Scion, which debuted in 2003, was geared toward drawing younger car shoppers to Toyota. To maintain things fresh, component to Scion's mission statement was alleged to be a "one and done" marketing approach, Hollis said. That meant Scion models were speculated to stick around for just one generation and get replaced by new nameplates. The Scion xB and tC proved too popular to desert; both models at the moment are of their second generation.
Now is maybe the correct time for Scion to desert the models, however. Sales of the once-popular boxy xB have fallen off, from a high of about 61,000 in 2006 to about 17,000 in 2011. The logo's new city car, the Scion iQ, is selling well, in order that might be useful pick up the slack. The hotly anticipated Scion FR-S, that's coming this spring, also needs to help revive the logo.
The xB is widely well-liked by Chicago taxi drivers, but we don't think Toyota could be too pleased to listen to its brand linked to commercial fleet operations.
So far this year, sales of the xB and xD are slightly up, at 2.6% and 1.1%, respectively. Although Toyota doesn't plan to interchange the models yet, the corporate has a habit of sourcing Scion models from its Japanese marque, Daihatsu. Here's hoping the subcompact Toyota Rush or Daihatsu Terios (pictured below) is a candidate for the U.S.
What funky models from Toyota of Europe or Japan do you're thinking that would work for Scion's U.S. lineup? Let us know within the comments section below.
Scion Killing xB, xD in Favor of All-New Models (Wards Auto, via Left Lane News)
From WhatNewsToday.net
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