Forbes: Scion - Is The Honeymoon Over?

[Perian]

02/28/05 issue of Forbes contains an article on Scion, Toyota's youth oriented brand. It's not what you think!

Article quotes:

"Just 20 months after the brand's initial launch, Toyota is finding that Scion customers, some of them first-time car buyers, are frustrated with Toyota, the car buying process and in some cases; their beloved Scions."

"Scion buyers find the dealership experience irksome. Some gripe that they know more about the vehicles and their accessories than the salesmen do."

"Scion's initial quality ratings were stunningly low on J.D. Powers' 2004 survey. Owners cited 158 problems per 100 vehicles, compared with the industry average of 119."

Source: www.forbes.com (Registration required to access article).

[gmsickofan]

Toyota salesmen tend to be dismissive and arrogant towards young buyers - the Consumer Reports bred Older Couple sitting inside waiting to buy a fully trimmed out Camry have their attention, and demand that they know far less about the cars they are selling --- why would you need to know anything about the car anyway - just know that "It's a Toyota".

"Oh gawd, here comes another one of those kids looking at the low-margin Scions. Probably won't pass a credit check..."

[goblue]

The difference is that Toyota will address this with a 500 person team, no expense spared. Had this been about Ford's (hypothetical) new brand - then I would assume it is a flop. Toyota flops, then recovers, then wins. They simply have way too much money to throw at the problem. For example, $500 additional spiffs to each employee that sells a Scion - direct to the salesman. GM could never do that. I used to work in retail - and I'd get excited about a $10 spiff.

[T-Type]

Originally Posted by goblue

The difference is that Toyota will address this with a 500 person team, no expense spared.

Still as a GM fan, I hugely enjoy whenever the likes of Toyota screw up. Yes, I'm sure almighty Toyota will fix the issue, but for now I will just enjoy the moment. So if I may, I'll send out a Nelson Muntz to Toyota - HA HA!!!

[SVT2888]

I'll send out a Nelson Muntz to Toyota - HA HA!!!

Same thought.

[spudglo08]

Another Nelson Muntz HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHALOL!!I enjoy good news like this.

[driverblogger]

oh no, poor toyota, and scion.

[jd4548]

Bas news for Toyota i guess, but just as goblue speculated Toyota will waste no time getting Scion back on its feet.

[GMfan2381]

Yes, Im sure Toyota will fix the problem... Maybe. But I still want to savor this moment. This is like a fine wine, or a good hamburger...Well either way it should be savored and enjoyed for as long as possible.

I too will give out a Nelson HA! HA!

[S10Blazer]

TOYOTA.....FAIL...IT CANT BE









NM-HA HA

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by goblue

The difference is that Toyota will address this with a 500 person team, no expense spared. Had this been about Ford's (hypothetical) new brand - then I would assume it is a flop. Toyota flops, then recovers, then wins. They simply have way too much money to throw at the problem. For example, $500 additional spiffs to each employee that sells a Scion - direct to the salesman. GM could never do that. I used to work in retail - and I'd get excited about a $10 spiff.

Since when???
Toyota, with exception to lexus, has always been abyssmal when it came to customer service and dealership satisfaction. They've always ranked on the mid to low end. They haven't improved one bit.

[mk1700]

Thats exactly the problem that all the big car manufactures have once they succed. They think that they make some kind of favor selling they cars to some customers. That will put Toyota back on the reality. I hope that north american customers dont buy any car of a brand that dont give the respect they deserve!
Make American brands a favor; Dont buy Japanese cars.

[MN12Fan]

"Forbes: Scion - Is The Honeymoon Over?"God I hope so. I can't take much more of this "modern art masterpiece" crap.

When cars unite with giant cubes...



...this happens!

[Smilingoat]

nomatter how bad it gets, these cars will sell, toyota knows this. but if we are lucky we will see Geo ending to this crappy little fleet of ugly wanna-be's

[magneto112]

This I am not surprised at. Honestly a great majority of salesmen at any dealership by any carmake dont know siht about the car they are selling. A great majority are there to get a check and make a living. They pass a few basic test, but most just forget about the car anyway. With Scion it is that they are so into the internet thing about finding info about there cars online, then building a car online to your specs, you find out about every little thing about the car. You take your info to the dealership the next day and start asking them questions that you know, and they dont know what the hell you are talking about. This doesnt surprise me one bit. Happens everyday at every dealership, its just more known now becuase they are pushing using the internet for info about the cars. However the salesmen aar still at fault for not knowing what they are selling.