Scion xB RS 8.0 has arrived... in the States

Sciclonic.com  reports (Read their post here) that the 2011 Scion xB Release Series 8.0 has started to arrive at dealerships.  Scion apparently puts out a special edition car at the rate of approximately one per year.  For 2011 it is the xB Release Series 8.0, and it features the following:

Source: Autoblog.com

• Voodoo Blue paint job
• revised, more aggreesive body kit
• RS 8.0 logos and numbered badge
• power tilt'n'slide moonroof
• optional painted rear spoiler

Really, the only exclusive features are the colour and sunroof.  The sunroof is not available in any other xB model.  Seems to me that the roof would be a nice addition.

Will Canada get a special edition in the future? Probably. Soon? Probably not.  Special editions are usually used to drum up some excitement and media coverage.  Scion is only a few months old in Canada, so there really is no need to try and drive up sales with a special edition.  I would expect that they will eventually arrive in Canada.  Maybe sooner than I think?

[Sources: Sciclonic.com, Autoblog.com]

Scion VP - Volume is not a goal...

Autoblog.com sat down with Scion VP Jack Hollis and a number of different issues were addressed by him.  Despite a 20% reduction in U.S.  sales in 2010, compared to 2009, Hollis stated that those numbers are only important "if volume is your goal".  Hollis went on to suggest Scion could double their sales numbers through the use of incentives, but will retain their non-negotiable sales prices.


Hollis also provided some information on the average age of a Scion buyer in the States.  The median age in 2010 was 41.5 years, up from 40 years old a year prior.  He also restated that a goal of Scion was to bring new buyers to the Toyota family.  To that end, buyers of the second gen vehicles include a similar mix to the first gen cars.  Apparently 70% of the first gen xA and xB buyers were new to Toyota.


The good news a Scion fan can take away from this is that Toyota is squarely behind the Scion brand.  In conjunction with the comments Toyota's President Akio Toyoda (read my previous post) made earlier in the week, one can rest easy that the Scion brand will be around for some time to come.  Scion seems to be achieving the goals Toyota set out for it when it was introduced to the U.S. 


Read the full Autoblog.com post here.  I also wanted to compliment Autoblog.com for giving Scion some coverage.


[Source: Autoblog.com]

Canadian Debut of the Scion iQ

The Scion iQ had its Canadian debut at the Montreal International Auto Show today.  The 2012 Scion iQ is expected to arrive at dealerships later this year.  Some of the features of this car are:

• 10 airbags, including the first rear-window curtain airbag
• estimated fuel consumption of just over 5 litres per 100 km
• 1.3 Litre engine putting out 90 hp

Probably the most impressive feature is the fuel economy.  I don't think my wife's motorcycle gets that good of mileage!  From the Toyota Canada press relaease:

“The Scion iQ is the boldest example to date of the Scion brand philosophy,” Mr. Hutchinson continued. “It’s the ultimate small, urban-friendly, fuel efficient vehicle that’s big on style, features and safety, and offers the functionality and comfort that drivers expect from a vehicle twice its size.”

I'm sure this car will find its market.   I can certainly see the value in a small urban vehicle like this.  For someone living downtown, working and socializing in Toronto, a car like this would be ideal.  Especially with its smaller dimensions and maneuverability, parking and driving in the City would be a breeze.


Full press release and photo gallery is here.

[Source: Toyota Canada]

Breaking News: Scion will not be axed.

Automotive News reports that Toyota Motor President Akio Toyoda has stated that 

"despite three years of lackluster sales, Toyota's Scion youth brand is not in danger of being shut down".  

 It seems from the report that Scion sales have declined significantly since the brand was launched in the United States.  In particular, 2010 sales were down 21% from 2009.  The thinking is that Scion is a youth brand, and youth have had difficulty in recent years getting car loans.

"Toyoda said Scion's position within the Toyota family is important as the developer of fun-to-drive vehicles that feature “exhilaration and excitement.”

“I am one of the test-drivers within Toyota,” he said. “I have a preoccupation with vehicles that have great emotional excitement, and Scion can bring that sort of excitement to the fore.""

Good to hear that Toyota's President is interested in exciting vehicles.  Hopefully, we'll see more of those vehicles in the future from Toyota and Scion.  Read the full story here.


[Source: Automotive News]

LIVE: "Take on the Machine"

The "Take on the Machine" game is now live at machine.scionnation.ca .  A previous release suggested it wasn't going to be available until tomorrow, to coincide with the opening of the Montreal Auto Show.

Source: machine.scionnation.ca