What is it?
Scion bbX
What's special about it?
Scion is Toyota's latest attempt at global domination. Not merely content at standing by and watching youngsters fritter away dollars on such things as clothes and drumsticks, the company is introducing a line of vehicles to appeal to the under-25 demographic. Scion (defined as "heir" or "descendent") is supposed to offer Toyota heritage and renowned reliability, only without the taint of -- gasp -- sensibility or blandness that one usually associates with Toyota vehicles.
Three elements define Scion's philosophy: style, versatility and surprise. These apply to the product as well as the purchase process, which Toyota describes will be "low-key and buyer-friendly with a stylish décor and polished industrial feel." Sounds like the lobby of a W Hotel. All vehicles in the lineup will also be well-equipped so that there is no pressure to buy expensive options. Scion is set to launch in June 2003 with two vehicles, and two were displayed in New York. The ccX was displayed at the Detroit Auto Show less than three months ago, and the bbX concept was unveiled today. Actually, it wasn't unveiled, since it's not officially new, but is a show car based on a vehicle available now in Japan; the bb stands for Black Box. Both of these vehicles will be priced under $18,000.
The bbX, another cubist vehicle, is much like the Honda Element that was also shown at the New York Auto Show. It sports a 1,350-watt audio/video system by Pioneer and is designed and equipped as a "rolling sound studio" with an in-dash DVD/CD player with headrest-mounted monitors for the rear passengers. The bbX will allow for a wide range of customization by creative types.
Why should you care?
Are you young, not Paris or Nicky Hilton, but rich enough to buy a new car? Toyota will go to great lengths to reach you. The company has already worked toward warming the Net Gen with the Celica and MR2, but Scion will allow it to custom-market its advertising campaign for the dispossessed under 25 crowd, much in the way Lexus reaches the affluent. We're not sure that putting in so many resources toward wooing a population that doesn't have resources yet, but hey, it looks like the bbX will hold plenty of pizza boxes for those who are really motivated to purchase a new car. Scion will launch in California in June 2003. -- Liz Kim
Scion bbX
What's special about it?
Scion is Toyota's latest attempt at global domination. Not merely content at standing by and watching youngsters fritter away dollars on such things as clothes and drumsticks, the company is introducing a line of vehicles to appeal to the under-25 demographic. Scion (defined as "heir" or "descendent") is supposed to offer Toyota heritage and renowned reliability, only without the taint of -- gasp -- sensibility or blandness that one usually associates with Toyota vehicles.
Three elements define Scion's philosophy: style, versatility and surprise. These apply to the product as well as the purchase process, which Toyota describes will be "low-key and buyer-friendly with a stylish décor and polished industrial feel." Sounds like the lobby of a W Hotel. All vehicles in the lineup will also be well-equipped so that there is no pressure to buy expensive options. Scion is set to launch in June 2003 with two vehicles, and two were displayed in New York. The ccX was displayed at the Detroit Auto Show less than three months ago, and the bbX concept was unveiled today. Actually, it wasn't unveiled, since it's not officially new, but is a show car based on a vehicle available now in Japan; the bb stands for Black Box. Both of these vehicles will be priced under $18,000.
The bbX, another cubist vehicle, is much like the Honda Element that was also shown at the New York Auto Show. It sports a 1,350-watt audio/video system by Pioneer and is designed and equipped as a "rolling sound studio" with an in-dash DVD/CD player with headrest-mounted monitors for the rear passengers. The bbX will allow for a wide range of customization by creative types.
Why should you care?
Are you young, not Paris or Nicky Hilton, but rich enough to buy a new car? Toyota will go to great lengths to reach you. The company has already worked toward warming the Net Gen with the Celica and MR2, but Scion will allow it to custom-market its advertising campaign for the dispossessed under 25 crowd, much in the way Lexus reaches the affluent. We're not sure that putting in so many resources toward wooing a population that doesn't have resources yet, but hey, it looks like the bbX will hold plenty of pizza boxes for those who are really motivated to purchase a new car. Scion will launch in California in June 2003. -- Liz Kim
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