Scion xB and xD to Be Discontinued
Toyota plans to discontinue its iconic Scion xB and the ill-remembered xD, according to Ward's Auto.
Scion Vice President Jack Hollis told Ward's that the brand didn't "have plans for a direct xB or xD replacement."
Scion, which debuted in 2003, was aimed at drawing younger car shoppers to Toyota. To keep things fresh, part of Scion's mission statement was supposed to be a "one and done" marketing approach, Hollis said. That meant Scion models were supposed to stick around for only one generation and be replaced by new nameplates. The Scion xB and tC proved too popular to abandon; both models are now in their second generation.
Now is probably an appropriate time for Scion to abandon 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 brand's new city car, the Scion iQ, is selling well, so that should help pick up the slack. The hotly anticipated Scion FR-S, which is coming this spring, should also help revive the brand.
The xB is widely popular with Chicago taxi drivers, but we don't think Toyota would be too pleased to hear its brand associated with 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 replace the models yet, the company 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 think would work for Scion's U.S. lineup? Tell us in the comments section below.
Scion Killing xB, xD in Favor of All-New Models (Wards Auto, via Left Lane News)
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Your quote is accurate, but the details are not. After the launch of the FR-S, Toyota plans to research and provide replacement vehicles for the xD and xB, as the 5 year life cycle is up in 2013
A-BAT? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller...
This is expected. Even tc may go down soon. So will the Matrix. These models has 4 speed tranny which is very outdated. I dont think FR-S will sell either.
Prius especially C has eaten into the sales of these models. Let Toyota continue to concentrate on fewer hybrids instead of so many other vehicles.
Kia Soul has sold 32,000 units in 2012-Q1 since it has 6 speed tranny.
Scion FR-S will be sold with manual only. Will Americans buy it.
http://www.edmunds.com/scion/fr-s/2013/?sub=coupe
And tC sales have also gone down by 4.8 % in the 1st 3 months. The whole Scion make is in danger.
Yaris seems to be selling better and Prius is trailing Corolla by only 8,000 units in the 1st 3 months. This year will see big change with Hybrids gaining a lot.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/toyota-reports-sales-of-over-200000-vehicles-in-march-2012-145956225.html
i would love 2 c any of the overseas models here, especially, the toyota wish and daihatsu cuore!
and toyota aygo and toyota avensis wagon!
Max Reid,
Obviously you have not one clue as to what you are talking about. The tC is a 6 speed transmission, get it right... Secondly to those who think the FR-S won't sell, we have sold out of our stock before the cars even arrived. We received 2 more and they were sold in 2 days... Also, the car come sin auto transmission and manual... god people get a clue...
@Autonomous
Dude get your facts straight. The Scion Fr-S will be sold AUTOMATIC and manual.
I liked the xB and xD. I think they should do another generation with a cool design and see how the sales go.
A-Bat PLEASE!
Bring the Toyota Axio!
Toyota Ractis! Bring it 2 the U.S!!
R.I.P Scion xB and xD :,(
How about bringing the Australian Rukus :)
Well just as I figured GM tried this youth brand years ago with the Geo brand. Scion will follow Geo to the grave sooner or later
How many vehicle marketing plans have gone awry? It's a matter of making a car and lucking out that it fits a segment whether the intended one or not. XB's are practical and highly maneuverable and have an entry step-over height that is negligible-very practical for the disabled. If Toyota's going to feel humiliated that their voluminous box is relegated to being a taxicab, then perhaps they should look at themselves as the purveyor of the next Checker Marathon contender--a model that served in the taxicab realm for 35+ years.
Toyota should bring back a two door corolla with the vvti dohc Gts that would be nice 5 speed turbo version to.
This article is complete disinformation and should be taken down. It is false.
Toyota is building a 2013 Scion XB. Production for the 2013 Scion XB begins at the end of October or early November.
For the person who stated that the Scion FR-S comes in manual only, that is false as well.
And I really have to ask. Why on earth would a Toyota executive announce they are ending half the entire scion car line right in the middle of the model year?
How does that make any kind of sense?
Please take this nonsense down. It's false.
So the 2013s are out now.... You said they're going to be discontinued but give no year. Maybe they'll be discontinued in 5 years? 10 years? lol. I bet you're right. They will be discontinued at some point. In other news, Honda Accord to be discontinued.
Aw, come on! I sold my Olds Alero two years ago to get a Scion xD. Should I just get a Camry and have a guaranteed supply of parts forever?
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
well I have 4 scion xb 2006 all whites , at first i didn't like them they where ougly but when i buy the first one and see how much gas i spend i start to love this cars, but when the new model came out the IDIOTS put a camry motor on it a 2.4 , so theres your anwer why sales when down, i really wish they could put a 1.8 motor on the new ones to change all 4 , but for now i wont change it for nothing.
I bet that if they put a 1.8 motor in the new scion xb that will be one of the top in sales.
I'd like to see the Verso-S come to the U.S.. I have a Scion XA and would buy another one if they hadn't discontinued it here. The Verso-S reminds me most of my XA.
I have had my 2009 XB for almost five years and love it. It has had no problems. If they are going to quit making them I will buy a new one before they are gone. I only wish they had put in more luxury touches such as larger electric seats and a radio that was not so hard to learn.