[Gotcha]

I was reading through an AutoEvolution article on the Scion iM and something caught my eye. The author says that you can think of the Scion iM as "some sort of Corolla hatchback made by Scion, or a Toyota Matrix."

How does that sit with you? Does the idea of a Corolla hatchback made by Scion make it seem more attractive to you, or does it leave a bad taste in your mouth?

Scion iM Coming in 2015 Under $20K [Photo Gallery]

 

[Filmore]

Well whoever writes for autoevolution is either patently stupid or purposefully think.

"some sort of Corolla hatchback made by Scion, or a Toyota Matrix"

Well, the Matrix was always our Auris. Both never minced that they were in fact derivatives of Corolla's

On August 5, 2013, Toyota announced that it would end production of the Matrix for the US market after the 2013 Model Year due to declining sales, and that there were no plans to replace it with another vehicle, leaving this segment void for the near future.[43] A 2014 model was still offered for The Canadian market, with those assembled in Cambridge, Ontario by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada.[citation needed]. The Matrix was then discontinued in Canada, and no 2015 model was offered

Scion doesn't make anything, or do them employ their own clan of badge installers?

Besides, why should this leave a abd taste in anyones mouth, its plastered all over the site. Why does it leave a bad taste in YOUR mouth?

 

[Gotcha]

It doesn't really bother me that much, though the idea of rebadging on the whole isn't my favorite. Just new packaging on a old product. Its not the worst, I just appreciate brand new designs. They are more innovative almost be definition.

 

[Filmore]

It doesn't really bother me that much, though the idea of rebadging on the whole isn't my favorite. Just new packaging on a old product. Its not the worst, I just appreciate brand new designs. They are more innovative almost be definition.

its not old product, its existing product. Brands behave differently in different regions. Auris as a true Toyota would eat into Corolla and possibly Rav4 and Camry, because of the space advantage...

 

[Gotcha]

its not old product, its existing product. Brands behave differently in different regions. Auris as a true Toyota would eat into Corolla and possibly Rav4 and Camry, because of the space advantage...

What do you mean by "space advantage?"

 

[Patrick.S]

he probably means the size of the auris/iM

 

[Filmore]

What do you mean by "space advantage?"

cargo cap of Auris vs Cargo cap of Corolla. IF you can get a Corolla with Cargo cap similar to Rav4 why buy a Rav4? (if Cargo Cap is high on your list of needs, which it is for most buyers in segment)

 

[Gotcha]

So you think that the Rav4's only plus is that it has a bigger cargo capacity than others in the segment?

 

[Veloist]

Yes the iM is actually a Corolla hatchback...in fact the Austrailian model of the Auris is sold as the Corolla and even wears the same exact badge as our Corolla. Austrailian and Japanese models even have the same 2ZR-FE engine as the current and previous Corolla.

http://www.toyota.com.au/corolla

I think Toyota's strategy is to isolate the iM from the Corolla so that it doesn't have the negative association that usually comes about when driving a Corolla.

Although the plus is that there is a growing number of accessories that already exist for the Toyota Corolla AU/ Auris JP. I'd be interested in importing a few goods. There's already a TRD kit too, the Modellista kit isn't bad either.

 

[SiM]

I think Toyota's strategy is to isolate the iM from the Corolla so that it doesn't have the negative association that usually comes about when driving a Corolla.

That's a good way to look at it, one which I can see really being part of their plan, starting fresh with a new name and 'new' vehicle gives them that sort of leverage and freedom, plus there's that need for being more enthusiast-focused... good way to divide the two... your average commuter and the more enthusiast-friendly version.

 

[Gotcha]

Is there a negative connotation with the Corolla? Sure it is an everyday kind of car, but I don't think of that as a bad thing. I guess people do not want a car that they know is a really common model.