Earlier this year we suggested that the struggling Scion brand might try to get its groove back by expanding the 2011 Scion tC line to include a convertible. The size and shape of the redesigned tC would work well for a compact 2+2 droptop, we thought.
However, we learned this week that a Scion tC convertible will not come to pass.
"There is no tC convertible planned nor being discussed," Jack Hollis, vice president of Scion told Inside Line.
He added that convertibles skew toward a female audience, whereas Scion is courting men in their 20s.
"It doesn't mean there's not room for one, and we continually look at different designs for convertibles, but we just haven't found anything we've gotten all excited about for Scion," Hollis said.
Rendering: Nick Wilcox/automotiverenderings.blogspot.com
zoomzoomn says:
06:15 AM, 08/ 6/10
The new TC, coupe and all, is just NOT an attractive car. The old car, while somewhat plain, at least looked the part. C'mon Toyota! Well, at least there's the F86 on the horizon!!!
carguy622 says:
06:55 AM, 08/ 6/10
When the original tC came out I liked the look, plain but attractive. However, the longer it's been on the road the more I dislike the original car. Not because it's any less attractive mind you, it just seems like everyone who drives a tC thinks they are driving a race care. They are obnoxious.
Yeah, and the new one is ugly.
lostboyz says:
07:02 AM, 08/ 6/10
take convertible out of the article title and it wouldve made me a lot happier. Soon scion is going to have to spin off a sub brand for interesting cars, because they are just turning beige like everything else toyota makes.
nealibob says:
07:22 AM, 08/ 6/10
I find it surprising that they think they are targeting young men. I thought their target was just young people in general. I see people of all ages driving stock Scions, with a slight emphasis on women over 40. The only Scions I see driven by young men have at least one obvious and pointless mod on them. That is just my experience, so maybe I only deal with bizarre cases, but I think that Toyota is confused here.
Embrace your market, don't try to make it into something it is not. A tC convertible would likely sell well, especially if it came in 20% or more under the price of the Eos.
windsor5 says:
08:20 AM, 08/ 6/10
this whole scion thing in an epic fail they need to close its doors like ford is closing mercuries.
The segmant it competes in is waaaaaaay to competative and there are so many interesting vehicles to compete against. Mini(on as lease) Hyundai Kia Suzuki Ford Honda all have reaally flavorful cars that are either fun to drive have lots of technology or are really stylish---kia soul anyone?
Scions dont really add anything special to the mix in the segmant. Toyota needs to focus on its core brand in this recession considering they have yet t turn a profit this year
oscarmv says:
08:22 AM, 08/ 6/10
What's so wrong about targeting women? Their money any less green than anyone else's?
I don't understand the carmakers obsession with avoiding being seen as feminine. Might be a worthwhile niche for all I know, since no one else is catering to them.
Which also begs the question: has anyone ever tried to specifically target women in a non-stupid way?
mazdamike17 says:
10:38 AM, 08/ 6/10
oscarmv says:
"I don't understand the carmakers obsession with avoiding being seen as feminine. Might be a worthwhile niche for all I know, since no one else is catering to them.
Which also begs the question: has anyone ever tried to specifically target women in a non-stupid way?"
To answer your question, arguably the VW beetle was designed for women. While being a retro car, it doesn't apply to men like all other retro designs, besides the PT Cruiser... The VW has a flower holder and is very feminine. Other cars most likely to be driven by girls are the Toyota Solara, and Pontiac sunfires are pretty girly. I know a "tough guy" who drives a sunfire and he obviously doesn't know much about cars and its hilarious...
Automakers should make cars that focus to women though, something with flower holders, lip stick tray, you know, things girls typically may need... Most cars are directed towards men, make at least one for women.. Also current focus is girly, but only cause they think its cute, when in reality its the most hideous car on the market...especially in booger green... Really? Snot colored car?
lostboyz says:
12:04 PM, 08/ 6/10
Ford realized the Mercurys were mostly bought by women, so they changed their ads to gear more towards women. Sales weren't great, so I don't know what that says whether it be women don't buy a lot of cars or that the only people still buying mercurys were women. The outcome is all the same.
to626n says:
01:42 PM, 08/ 6/10
A convertible tC would have been a nice addition to the Scion lineup. They should have produced it in limited numbers to see how it would have sold.
Really any 4 seater convertible priced around $21k with all the tC's features would've been a hot seller.
windsor5 says:
01:54 PM, 08/ 6/10
the majority of Volvo sales are to women the majority of v-6 mustangs sold are to women something to the tune of 67% both are fairly succseful with that model so I think there is nothing wrong with targeting women.
What I think got lost in translation. Toyota looked at scions sales figures seeing the majority of purchases made by men in their 20s to 30s so building a car out of that group would be seen as wasted R&D if women dont really buy scions anyways. On the flip side thats just a wasted opportunity and scion should be thinking on how to expand their market share.
This if it aint broke dont fix it mentality toyota seems to have about scion needs to change they should be looking to make more opportunities not keep what they already have.
jscion says:
10:36 PM, 08/ 7/10
This would make a wonderful addition to the Scion brand. It reminds me of the Toyota Celica convertible which is basically what Toyota is convincing us the Scion TC really is...the next generation Toyota Celica. Scion really doesn't add anything new to an already very competitive compact market with what they currently have. They could really be so much more with just a little TLC.
margod117 says:
10:49 AM, 08/ 8/10
UGLY YLGU GULY LUGY..... I don't know how else to say it....
colorado1974 says:
06:52 AM, 08/10/10
wont see the light of day...
great, the mercur didn't last to long b/c it was ugly, not as ugly as this. Toyota has shown that it lost it. What a putrid turd of a car.
themachine2 says:
12:20 AM, 04/ 8/11
Better looking than those hideous Smart cars, better gas mileage and probably better quality. This is a no brainier response to Smart car's recent popularity. Gas prices are just going to increase higher and higher.
new tc(http://www.scion.com/takeonthemachine/)
allnewtc says:
11:38 PM, 04/15/11
The Scion tC comes fitted with automatic off multi-reflector halogen headlights that would make driving absolutely safe and convenient. Facilities like the power steering and power windows offer tremendous convenience.
all new tc(http://www.scion.com/takeonthemachine/)