Scion

There are many hot opinions floating around at the moment about the Scion Hako concept car and must say I am going to squash those who thinks it is ugly, come on people you have got to be on another planet because this car is class. Ok I need not bang on about the Scion [...]

Scion announced the price for limited production 2008 Scion xD RS 1.0. Although the 2008 Scion xD RS 1.0 will become available in showrooms starting from June this year, but the price had been announced by Scion. The 2008 Scion xD RS 1.0 price will starts at $14,550 for the manual transmission version and goes [...]

The third limited-production Scion for 2008, the xD Release Series 1.0 (xD RS 1.0) is set to go on sale this June with prices set at $16,549 with a manual gearbox and $17,349 with an automatic transmission.Scion has differentiated the RS 1.0 from its other siblings with a “hot-lava” exterior paint-job, a DAMD body kit, rear spoiler, lower springs and… unique hub-caps.Inside, the 2,000 units

Toyota, Lexus, Scion All Report Best Sales For First Half Of 2007July 3, 2007 – Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported all-time best-ever first-half year sales of 1,331,074. June sales of 245,739, an increase of 6.1 percent over last June, contributed to a record-setting second quarter, with sales of 725,219 units.July 3, 2007 – Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales

ebox: The electric Scion xBAC Propulsion joins the current trend of exotic, electric-powered vehicles with its converted Scion xB, or ebox.AC Propulsion joins the current trend of exotic, electric-powered vehicles with its converted Scion xB, or ebox.The SUV uses lithium-ion batteries found in laptop computers. Interestingly, while the batteries can be fully charged within 2 hours when connected t

Scion TC Trumps Civic?As most of you are aware, Toyota launched its Scion division about a year ago in California to try and, well, conveniently discard its reputation as an old-folks car. The xA and xB were launched together – the xA looked like a Toyota Matrix that backed into a big rig, and the xB looked like it was conceived by a big rig designer. Both were essentially the same underneath th

Completely boxy, but if your a fan of wind resistance I suppose this bike might be for you. The nUCLEUS motorcycle rocks a thin comfortable seat and a horse-like function; it lowers itself when stagnant, lifts during motion. The side-view conceals that the pieces of metal are simply blades from the front. Check the full [...]

Scion Parts’ New Culture  By Anthony Fontanelle  What is to be left with ideas is the pursuance of its implementation. This is what Scion engineers have in mind in the creation of their masterpieces―Scion’s lineup of automobiles. Scion’s concepts were embraced by the average young generation Americans. In 2002, it has coolly moved out of [...]

Scion TC Trumps Civic? As most of you are aware, Toyota launched its Scion division about a year ago in California to try and, well, conveniently discard its reputation as an old-folks car. The xA and xB were launched together – the xA looked like a Toyota Matrix that backed into a big rig, and the xB looked like it was conceived by a big rig designer. Both were essentially the same underneath the skin, meant to be inexpensive utility vehicles for generation Y (or whatever the hell we’re labeled as now). To date, I’ve seen four different xBs, and one xA – and I go to a high school campus, which is part of Scion’s target demographic, and I live in southern California, where Scion first set shop. Can you say “duds”?As most of you are aware, Toyota launched its Scion division a

Fresh off his cameo on Snoop’s sizzling single, “Life Of the Party” Bay Area Ambassador Too-Short has just been tapped by Scion to perform in their “Live Metro” concert... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

A couple of days ago Scion announced that they were adding HD Radio by iBiquity to certain models in the Scion family. Ok so which models are they going to add the HD Radio to? It is not like Scion has a ton of models to choose from. Scion’s model line-up consists [...]

RS*R Scion tC goes adrift to go 2008 Formula DriftApril 8, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Scion today announced it will drift the RS*R Scion tC in Formula Drift events this year.Scion’s drift car is based on its most popular model, the tC sports coupe. The factory built front-wheel drive tC turned into a drifting contender through a rear-wheel drive conversion performed by acclaimed exhaust and suspension manufacturer, RS*R. The tC shares its platform with Toyota’s Japanese market Avensis four-wheel drive and Caldina all-wheel drive, enabling it to undergo the conversion. RS*R used its extensive performance shop experience to change the tC’s stock transverse engine configuration to a longitudinal setup in order to drive power, through the transmission and drive shaft, directly to the rear whe

Toyota’s American sibling Scion, announced prices for the 2009 model year xB and tC sports coupe. The boxy xB that will arrive at dealerships later this month will carry a base price of $15,750 when equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission and $16,700 for the 4-speed automatic with sequential shifting. Prices for both configurations represent an increase of $100 or 0.6 percent for those of you who like numbers. As for the 2009 tc coupe that set to go on sale this May, prices for both versions remain the same as the 2008 models meaning that the tC equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission has a base MSRP of $17,000, while the four-speed automatic transmission model carries an MSRP of $17,800.

The RS*R Scion tC will be entered to this year’s Formula Drift. Equipped with a 3SGE Beams motor, a HKS GT3037 turbo and intercooler, a Blitz Dual SBC boost controller and an AEM EMS engine management system, resulting the RS*R Scion has a 400 horsepower, while the stock model has only 161 hp. However, there [...]

These two spots feature the customization available for the Scion tC and the Scion xB. The spot for the tC shows it racing around an indoor course that seems both toy-like and futuristic. For the xB, the car is revealed without tires underneath a subway. Both cars dynamically metamorphise as they show the options available. The voiceover says that both cars are ready for personalization at Scion.com with over 30 accessories.What Works:This spot is as interesting for the vision it shows us of the future as for the brand it promotes. It is effective on both levels. The look and feel of the commercial will be unfriendly to people not in the brand community - if you do not love the idea of taking an old Civic that’s worth $8,000 and putting $30,000 of accessories into it, then this commercia

Uma das atrações do Salão de Nova York, que abre hoje ao público, é o Scion Hako Coupe, da divisão da Toyota voltada ao público jovem. Com luzes que mudam de cor, comandos inspirados em videogame, conexão Bluetooth e tela de 10,5 polegadas, o modelo é tido como substituto do XB, em uma tentativa de rejuvenescer os consumidores da marca. Após um início tido como brilhante há seis anos, as vendas dos modelos Scion recuaram e o quadro começou a ficar crítico. Foram comercializadas apenas 130 mil unidades no último ano, uma queda de 25% e nada indica que esse volume pudesse crescer. Boa parte da culpa foi então atribuída à linha limitada do modelo.Agora foi planejada uma reviravolta para a Scion, que envolve novas versões e inúmeras inovações tecnológicas, segundo inform

Im Genre der Concept-Cars gilt noch immer das Motto: „je auffälliger das Design desto größer die Resonanz“. Jedoch könnte der Scion Hako Coupé Concept schon bald keine Vision mehr sein, denn auf der New York International Autoshow scheint der Flitzer des Toyota-Tochter Sion Fahrzeuggeschichte zu schreiben. Kaum ein anderes Auto hat derart viel Interesse hervorgerufen, [...]

Toyota’s hipster brand Scion is now letting “enthusiasts” (i.e., their most loyal customers) personalize their own coats of arms, following the growing commercial trend of strengthening bonds with target audiences by allowing them to customize their own experiences. Lynnley Browning describes Scion’s move in a New York Times article today: “…In making their personalized crests, Scion [...]

Toyota's Scion youth brand unveiled its Hako Coupe concept, designed by Toyota's Tokyo Design Division. Taking its name from the Japanese word for 'box', the design was directly inspired by the American vintage style revived by Japanese trendsetters."We thought it was a very interesting point that Japanese and American culture can influence one another like this," lead exterior designer Thomas Bergeron told CDN. "The Hot Rod was one of the influences but we wanted to modernize this without falling into the 'retro' cliché or stereotype," said Bergeron.At the front of the concept are trapezoidal LED headlights and a pronounced rectangular grille giving the face a "sinister looking" appearance, while the 'box' is strikingly apparent in profile, with a bolt upright windshield that blends into

The SOUL is obviously taking aim at the Scion xB, which took the two-box design to literal levels. This new image gives us the full-frontal treatment of the new Kia people-mover, with a fascia that mixes sportiness with an upright demeanor. It’s not bad, although the pseudo-tribal graphics are so 1996. But the raked windshield [...]

JD just asked me for my view on this sentence, from our micturating correspondent:Of course Chrysler is now a scion of Cerberus as opposed to a stain on Stuttgart's P&LsBy dint of some determined research he managed to translate it, but as a fine example of sub-baffling copy I felt it deserved preservation.And, tomorrow being my last day in the engine room we share, I feel it is only right to embarrass JD by mentioning that I couldn't have asked for a finer colleague with whom to end my days at the coalface. He's invited me to keep blogging, which I hope to do from my seaside hideaway at Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight (look it up on line, overseas chums; it's ever so pretty).And JD – remember our motto: eschew solecisms!

Japanese automaker Toyota knew that to become the largest automaker in the world, it needs to target all demographics. For most of us, the Toyota division caters to our vehicle needs. For well off consumers, Toyota created the Lexus division. And for the youth, the Japanese automaker created Scion. The youth brand of Toyota is offering unique vehicles which appeal to the taste of younger generations of car buyers. One of the vehicles that the marquee is proud of is the xB. Now, the xB has a sister, the xA. Unfortunately, the xA did not go well with consumers so Toyota saw it fit to replace it with the xD. But is the xD better than the xA and does it have the same toughness as a nerf bar? John Helig of The Auto Channel had the chance to take one of these xDs for a ride and le

Scion, Toyota's brand aimed at 'Generation Y' has presented this striking concept at the Las Vegas show. The compact convertible sits on 20 inch alloy wheels which are gloss black just like every other inch of the exterior. Even the head and tail lights have smoked lenses and the badges are finished in black chrome.Inside the trim is complemented by beechwood features and custom built and stitched diamond-tucked black leather seats. The beechwood rear center console features a hidden 7" monitor and hidden champagne and flutes.Under the bonnet are minor modifications however Scion obviously consider that generation-Y will consider style as a greater priority than substance.

The total net worth of members of the 2007 list more than tripled to $120 billion from $38 billion last year, reflecting China's rapid growth and a surging stock market that has almost tripled in value this year. The economy expanded 11.9 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, the fastest pace in more than 12 years.All 40 members of the list this year are billionaires, up from 15 last year, according to the magazine. The ranking of Huang Guangyu, the chairman of Gome Electrical Appliance, who was No. 1 last year, fell to No. 10, even as his wealth increased 56 percent to $3.6 billion.

Earlier this year Scion held a competition to help emcees get heard. The Prospect: The Rise of an Unsigned Emcee’s finalists include two Michigan emcees (surprise, surprise). Congratulations to Marvwon and Finale for being chosen by judges DJ Hi-tek, Lenny S. (VP of A&R Def Jam/Rocafella) and Ryan Ford (Executive Editor, The Source *is that something you would want to advertise now? …just thinking out loud*) in the top ten. The winner will be announced in August.

Après le magnifique site square en pixel art, la Toyota scion nous emmene dans un univers graphique morbide tout aussi bien réalisé avec le minisite Book of deviant Dans ce site, il faut finir plusieurs mini advergame pour pouvoir passer à la scène suivante.sources: ipub

[Comparison Test from Emunds] Kids today, eh? The 2007 Honda Fit Sport and 2008 Scion xD are meant to grab the attention of a generation that knows how to play it loud. These cars are supposed to be all about watts, speaker count and iPod inputs.Yet they are both so sensible that you'd swear the coveted Gen-Y market was filled with aging no-bones consumers more interested in price and practicality than loud music. And in fact, older drivers are proving to be just as enthusiastic about sensible, stripped-down cars as younger drivers.It's true that the 2007 Honda Fit Sport and 2008 Scion xD reflect the way in which cheap cars have been transformed into cool cars. But once you cut through the marketing hype, you discover that these cars capture our imagination precisely because they're about everything but loud music. Sorting them out is a matter of function, not flash.Honda Has a FitWhile the Honda Civic has never shown a big thirst at the gas pump, its ever-increasing dimensions (and

[Comparison Test from Emunds] Kids today, eh? The 2007 Honda Fit Sport and 2008 Scion xD are meant to grab the attention of a generation that knows how to play it loud. These cars are supposed to be all about watts, speaker count and iPod inputs.Yet they are both so sensible that you'd swear the coveted Gen-Y market was filled with aging no-bones consumers more interested in price and practicality than loud music. And in fact, older drivers are proving to be just as enthusiastic about sensible, stripped-down cars as younger drivers.It's true that the 2007 Honda Fit Sport and 2008 Scion xD reflect the way in which cheap cars have been transformed into cool cars. But once you cut through the marketing hype, you discover that these cars capture our imagination precisely because they're about everything but loud music. Sorting them out is a matter of function, not flash.Honda Has a FitWhile the Honda Civic has never shown a big thirst at the gas pump, its ever-increasing dimensions (and

Walking Back To Houston continues Scion's celebration of cutting edge art. The show, curated by Union, features three diverse artists, Clos, Rob Abeyta Jr and ZY$. Uniquely, only one of the three, Rob Abeyta Jr. has an already established reputation in the traditional art world. He has done graphic design, as well as art directing and design for the likes of Nike, Stussy, Neighborhood, Undefeated, Adidas and numerous music packaging designs ranging from the seminal punk band Los Crudos, to The Transplants, to LA hip hop legends Mack 10, Cypress Hill and DJ Quick.Carlitos (CLOS) has previously been best known for his work as a tattoo artist, notably as Mr. Cartoon's apprentice, while ZY$ is an underground Tokyo graffiti artist. Walking Back To Houston brings together these artists to present their talents in a new light and setting.The distinctive name of the show is derived from a Texas no-limit poker hand, the Ace-King. This is usually considered to be a great hand, but if you still

Hi-Tek And Scion Search For Talent In New ContestScion is helping unsigned emcees get their rhymes out to the world by sponsoring a new contest entitled "The Prospect." The contest, which began on April 9 and will run until May 20, offers unsigned artists the opportunity to submit their best material in hopes of being crowned the next "prospect." Contestants will be judged by a panel of judges which will include executive editor of The Source magazine Ryan Ford, Def Jam's Vice President of A&R Lenny S, and super-producer Hi-Tek, with the winner to be announced in July."Many artists contemplate whether they should sign to a major label or go the independent route," said Jeri Yoshizu, Scion sales promotion manager. "We hope The Prospect will provide them additional opportunities to help make an informed decision about their career."The winner will receive a $75,000 marketing deal which will allow the artist, as well as the song and video, to be promoted and launched online and through s

Following up on its debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February, the new Scion xB got its price tag today while the world was watching things in New York City. The base xB with a five-speed manual transmission will start at $15,650, a significant $1,620 over the outgoing model. The xB with an automatic transmission will start at $16,600, a bump of $1,770.[Source: Kicking Tires]Continued- ArticleThe price increase seems warranted, as the engine is significantly more powerful and the xB now comes with standard stability control, antilock brakes, a tire pressure monitoring system, front side airbags and two-row side curtain airbags. Cruise control and 16-inch wheels are also standard. We also learned the xB will arrive at dealerships in early May, not April, as Scion originally stated.

Scion has called upon seven dynamic contemporary and internationally-recognized artists to create original artwork inspired by and in celebration of the all-new 2008 xB urban utility vehicle. The artwork will be displayed at "Want2BSquare" art shows in New York and Los Angeles, and carry the theme of squares, boxes and cubes to follow the xB's boxy style."The 'Want2BSquare' show is a great opportunity to blend the creative art world with the launch of the second generation xB," said Jeri Yoshizu, Scion sales promotions manager. "Scion will continue to promote artistic creativity in special gallery executions like this."Each artist was asked to paint on canvases of two square sizes, 48" x 48" and 24" x 24", which were then assembled into cubes that will be suspended from the ceiling at various heights throughout the gallery. Smaller cubes will display the artwork on the outside, while the larger cubes will show artwork on the inside enabling the viewer to gaze up into the artwork fro

Le Scion de Toyota est une voiture carré. Cette évolution de design n'est pas du tout dans la tendance actuelle qui va plutôt vers les formes arrondis. Toyota cherche donc à rendre son innovation de design comme une révolution. Pour cela ils ont fait un site multifacette en pixel art pour promouvoir la voiture carré. Le site est extrêmement bien réalisé et essaimé dans l'ensemble du jeu, on peux trouver des petits jeux ou vidéos sympas. Même si il n'y a pas d'élément marrant poussant au 'sendtofriend', la qualité et la richesse du site font qu'il devrait connaître un certain succès. Toyota a su mettre en pratique parfaitement l'un des principes de base d'un site de buzz : "Créer un contenu suffisamment intéressant pour qu'il puisse exister par lui même." La promo du site est asssuré par des opérations de street et des vidéos virales telles que celles-ci: Qu'en pensez vous? sources:Infopub

Another Gift from Scion Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush - California Jam 2(1978)32okbpsThe most accomplished electric guitarist Canada ever produced, Frank Marino was in his prime in the 1970's. Undoubtably a Jimi Hendrix disciple, but with a good dose of Johnny Winter thrown in, also.California Jam II, held as a follow-up to the amazingly successful Cal Jam I from 1974, did not sport artists of the same caliber as ELP, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath as that rock festival did, but it was a very good concert with such people as Heart in their heyday, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, and of course, Mahogany Rush with all of Frank Marino's guitar pyrotechics. I find these takes of the performances superior to his own "Mahogany Rush Live" album.Two tracks - "I'm A King Bee" 6:22 and"Johnny B. Goode (includes Electric Reflections of War)" 8:04,plus full artwork relevant to the Mahogany Rush portion of the album. Vinyl rip at 320 kbs. Sound quality = A. This album/CD is out-of-print and very expensi

In a move that can only be deemed as stupid, lazy or incredibly devious, Car & Driver published images and information on Scion's redesigned xB and all-new xD more than a day and a half before the car's are scheduled to be debuted here in Chicago. The info went live last night but wasn't discovered until an industrious member of the ScionLife forum messed with the URL and found it.The xD is the new kid in the Scion camp, replacing the less well-received xA. It rides on the same platform as the Yaris, but is powered by the 128-hp, 1.8L four-cylinder found in the Corolla and Matrix. The xD will feature the same transmission choices as the new xB and send power to the front wheels only. The xD's styling shares the same thick C/D-pillar seen on the new xB, which appears to be a new Scion trademark styling cue. We'll leave judgment of the car's overall design to you, but will just say that it looks like a cross between a Camry and a JDM-market Mazda Verisa. Stay tuned for the official

In a move that can only be deemed as stupid, lazy or incredibly devious, Car & Driver published images and information on Scion's redesigned xB and all-new xD more than a day and a half before the car's are scheduled to be debuted here in Chicago. The info went live last night but wasn't discovered until an industrious member of the ScionLife forum messed with the URL and found it. First up is the new xB, which has grown in size thanks to leaving the platform it shared with the now defunct xA. Gone is the toaster-esque styling as well, replaced with a design that's still a box, though one with fender flares, a little more character in the front end and a thick C/D-pillar. It's also reported that the interior has been upgraded along with losing the not-loved center-mounted gauge pod. The xB will also share its powerplant with the tC now, which means a 2.4L four-cylinder generating 158 hp and 162 ft-lbs. of torque will be on tap to send power through a five-speed manual or four-seed

UPDATE: High-Res Gallery AddedToyota officially unveiled the new 2008 Scion xD, its replacement for the xA, today at the Chicago Auto Show. Like the original xA, the xD is built off the platform of the Toyota Yaris. It has a wide aggressive stance with Macpherson struts in the front and a twist beam axle in the rear. Sixteen-inch steel wheels are standard with a choice of three different wheel covers, though the car above looks great with an aftermarket set of rims. The brakes are vented disks in the front, but unfortunately drums are used in the rear. A few pleasant surprises await inside the car. The rear seats split 60/40 and fold completely flat for a large cargo area. In addition, the rear seats can slide back and forth up to six inches for extra legroom or cargo room, and the rear seatbacks can recline up to ten degrees. Those are features not often found in cars costing much more than a new xD. The interior benefits from a relocation of the gauge pod to its rightful spot behind

Scion VP Mark Templin claims that his company is more in touch with its buyers than any other brand, and what xB owners wanted even more than another Toyota-sponsored group hug (or Second Life virtual conference) was a larger vehicle. The 2008 xB addresses this request with a foot more overall length and three more inches of width, while an inch decrease in height yields somewhat more traditional proportions. With the expanded sheetmetal comes an upgrade in components under the skin, starting with a 158-hp, 2.4L DOHC inline-four. Under the larger standard 16-inch wheels lie a set of disc brakes that are a touch smaller than 11-inch, and anti-lock, stability control, and traction control are standard. Inside, the cargo area grows by nearly 40%, and a storage area is provided underneath the rear seats for laptops, cameras, and various other consumer paraphernalia. The still center-mounted gauge cluster includes what Scion refers to as a "combination meter", which offers up various inform

Toyota today announced a number of enhancements to the Scion tC for the 2008 model year. The 2008 tC is distinguished by the new Scion family front fascia, including a new upper mesh grille, lattice lower grille and projector-type low beam headlights with black trim.The tC also receives new rear tail lights similar in style to the headlights with round combination lamps. Inside, the tC receives a deep orange combination meter on the instrument panel, silver-colored accents on the door assist grips and center cluster, updated seat fabric and Pioneer subwoofer.Azure Pearl and Black Cherry Pearl exterior colors were replaced with Sizzling Crimson Mica and Wave Line Pearl.Apple iPod connectivity is standard across the Scion lineup for 2008. Scion's standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system features a head unit with iPod control. This head unit integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the head unit's screen. Connectivity

Scion revealed the all-new 2008 xD five-door subcompact at a press conference today at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. "The xD is a clever new take on the five-door urban subcompact, with style and flair to match its efficiency and utility," said Mark Templin, Scion vice president. "The xD's aggressive styling is wrapped in a small, agile package, while its interior offers impressive details and a spacious cabin."New Scion StyleThe xD's futuristic exterior characterizes it as a Scion with its simple surfaces and sharp lines that flow from front to rear. Its urban personality is communicated by its wide stance, thick muscular body, accentuated wheel flares and large tires. Other styling cues that set the xD apart include a long and narrow back window, and the Scion family traits—horizontal headlamps, an integrated rectangular lower and upper grille, and turn signals built into the side mirrors.Good HandlingEngineers designed the xD with a short, wide frame in mind for better handling an

Scion unveiled the all-new 2008 xB urban utility vehicle at a press conference today at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show. The xB was first introduced in early 2003 for the 2004 model year and its boxy shape became iconic to the Scion brand."No one in the automotive industry is as hard-wire-connected to its owners as is Scion, and the 2008 xB is a perfect example," said Mark Templin, Scion vice president. "We've stated in the past that we'll probably always have a box in the Scion lineup, but our owners told us they wanted a bigger box. They talk, we listen and we responded with a bigger and better xB."Distinct Scion StyleLike the previous generation xB, the all-new 2008 model was styled with distinctiveness in mind. This aggressive new compact applies design elements from the t2B concept vehicle that was shown at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. These exterior styling cues include the soft angles between its wide and flat paneling, high beltline, elongated headlamps that wrap ar

Toyota today announced a number of enhancements to the Scion tC for the 2008 model year. The 2008 tC is distinguished by the new Scion family front fascia, including a new upper mesh grille, lattice lower grille and projector-type low beam headlights with black trim.The tC also receives new rear tail lights similar in style to the headlights with round combination lamps. Inside, the tC receives a deep orange combination meter on the instrument panel, silver-colored accents on the door assist grips and center cluster, updated seat fabric and Pioneer subwoofer.Azure Pearl and Black Cherry Pearl exterior colors were replaced with Sizzling Crimson Mica and Wave Line Pearl. Apple iPod connectivity is standard across the Scion lineup for 2008. Scion's standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system features a head unit with iPod control. This head unit integrates track, artist and album information from the iPod into a one-line display on the head unit's screen. Connectivit

Online Media Daily reports that Toyota's Sciontologists are building a "branded nightclub cum hangout spot" in the virtual world known as there.com. Programmers Metaversatility are creating a Scion-shaped party tower based on the carmaker's three currents models (xA, xB and tC). They hope to entice a big slice of there's [claimed] 1m virtual inhabitants into the Scion party zone. To increase cyber-footfall, Scion will advertise its virtual hang within there via "interactive kiosks" and billboards. If all that isn't weird enough-- and we think it is-- what's the bet Scion will pay inhabitants to "suggest" heading over to Club Scion? Will these virtual shills get virtual rewards or cold hard cash? Will they even be real? What's to stop there from using artificial intelligence avatars to drum-up business, or, more sinisterly, send fake visitors to the fake Club Scion to bolster audience numbers? Will Chevy hire people to create avatars to t

The Scion brand has turned to face some strange ch-ch-changes over the last model year. The bento-box-on-wheels xB was re-fashioned for American tastes, exchanging hip Nipponese style for porky gangsta chic. And now the xA, the mini-minivan-shaped thingie that somehow (unfortunately) captured the spirit of the orthopedic Toyota Echo, has been axed. In a break with ToMoCo’s tradition of maintaining model names, Scion has decided to replace the xA with the xD, a mini-CUV-shaped thingie with bad ‘tude. Go figure.

You read it right. Bloomberg reports Scion's brand manager, Jack Hollis, revealed in an interview yesterday that they're looking at expanding their lineup of rebadged Toyotas trendy economy cars. Showing Toyota is beginning to read from the GM brand management manual, he asked, "Should it be a youth truck, a youth SUV, an environmental car, a smaller car? We're studying right now to see which would be the greatest priority." He explained their rationale: "There are more leading-edge people we can attract that may not be attracted yet to these first three products." In spite of Scion's dropping sales (down 25 percent last year, 6.7 percent last month), he also said they would keep targeting "trend-setting" customers instead of just going for higher sa

The nice thing about security guards at auto shows is that they know very little about security and can't guard shit. As Justin and I were looking for the aforementioned free lunch (which indeed there is no such thing as), we headed into a conference room. "Are you with Toyota?" the guard demanded (in the sense of idly inquired). A simple "yes" and there it was: the new Scion Haku concept. The California sunset (TM) orange car looked like a chopped xB, with bells on. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me. So... then I met Matt Hardigree of Jalopnik, who'd been given a magenta-colored press pass (PR) by mistake. I sent Matt back into the room to grab some shots of the top secret Scion, with the understanding that we'd post them simultaneously. Done.

We reported earlier that ToMoCo is considering adding a pickup to the Scion line in hopes of boosting sagging sales of its "youth brand." The Detroit News reports that a hybrid drivetrain might be the sales medicine Scion needs. "Does it make sense to have a hybrid powertrain?" asks Scion VP Jack Hollis, answering his own rhetorical flourish with "We don't know the answers but we're very open-minded." Although the gas - electrification of the current lineup makes a lot more sense than a Scion truck or SUV, it raises a few questions about Toyota's burgeoning brand portfolio. If Lexus gets a hybrid and Toyota launches a new Prius brand, where does a hybrid Scion fit in the mix? GM-style brand proliferation issues aside, Toyota has committed to eq

In a desperate effort to sharpen the dulling edges of Scions "edgy, youth-oriented brand" ToMoCo is offering a website (scionspeak.com) where fans can channel their youthful enthusiasm towards designing individual logos for their sweet rides. The New York Times reports that Scion owners can build a logo from hundreds of symbols designed by a professional graffiti artist, download them and have them made into window decals or airbrush templates. Whether the middle-aged and up folks who occupy most of the Scions I see on the street even know that there is such thing as a "professional graffiti artist" or will use this website remains very much to be seen. The real point of this exercise is to keep the myth of Scion-as-youth-brand alive... among those who already own

Engadget reports on a new oh-so-clever Scion ad campaign featuring an interactive storefront window. Just in case passers-by might be a little self-conscious about gesticulating wildly in the middle of the pavement for no apparent reason, the window taunts pistonheads with the prospect of "releasing"-- and thus winning-- a tC Release Series 4.0 vehicle. (I make that two better than web 2.0.) While the geek factor is high, and I'm sure the ad agency used loads of bizzare buzzwords to justify the campaign, I'm not quite sure if violently dismissing bubbles filled with tCs sends the right subconscious message. No worries; the end of the video offers two testimonials from Ye Olde Men on the Street, explaining why this is one kick-ass marketing idea. Call me a skeptic, but what&