You are never too old

 

i think its wierd that you find it wierd for a certained aged person to be driving a certain vehicle. you think the folks at toyota invested millions of dollars on a new brand in hopes to sell vehicles to just teenagers?
Most people in my area who drive scions are 30 years and older. thats becuase these are the "majority" of people who have good jobs and good enough credit to get financed for a new vehicle. Most of the people who i see driving tc's are 30+year old women, it appeals to them becuase of toyota's reputation in reliability, low cost, and the fact they find it sporty, regardless of the fact that scion shows their tv commercials with wildly painted and slammed tc's (wich is why you probably feel that scions markets to just teenagers)
this age group of buyers are smart and informed, they know to do research before they plop thousands of their hard earned dollars on a new vehicle. They read all these great reviews about scions, so they buy them. A large percentage of scions are not modified buy there owners, and toyota is loving this, they get the best of both worlds, they were able to produce of line of cars that was appealing to "normal consumers" and people to love to modify.

 

Sorry, but they did design the Scion brand specifically for teenagers and mid 20 year olds. They knew that Toyota was being seen as a boring vehicle that these teens' parents were driving, so they came out with a new lineup specifically for those kids, and it actually worked. The majority of the people on this board who never had a Toyota before, are now devoted Toyota lovers. Others now hate Toyota because they've had bad experiences. Either way, Scion worked.

 

The only reason why Scion was created was to introduce the "younger" generation to Toyota. Traditionally Toyota sells to the baby boomers, but eventually they will all be gone. So what would be left for Toyota? Obviously they are one of the biggest manufactors with an outstanding reputation so they don't want to close their doors. Instead they created a line of cars that could be geared for youger people (but not soley for) that is reliable, safe, and yet still remain inexpensive., in hopes that when that young consumer goes to trade their car in, hopefully it will be for another Toyota. And trust me their plan has worked. I see it all the time. Kids bought these cars and now that they are a little older and their lives have changed, they trade the Scions in for a Toyota. This is the way for Toyota to stay in business and still be able to produce these quality vehicles. It makes a lot of sense but Toyota is not going to turn down a customer because they are not part of their demographics for a vehicle. We do just the opposite and welcome them in. Plus there are a lot of older people who would like to get one last car that is sporty and sleek. Like one last whorah! I can't say I blame them cause that will be me in 40 years!!! Funny I had a 60 year old customer who came in and bought a tC with every accessory possible and he said it himself. "I want one last car that can help me feel young again! Maybe I can score some ladies now!" He was an awesome guy and he loves his car. Everyone is different and wants something different from life!

 

ACtually its around 30 years old and has recently dropped to 28. here is the article

http://www.chron.com/class/cars/tims...ve/050607.html

 

Found the article I was refering to.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/03/au...es/03AUTO.html

 

i completely agree with what your saying carbonxe, toyota was hoping to capture a younger generation of buyers, and it worked, 58 perecent of tc owners are 35 and younger. all i was saying is when toyota built this great car, they didnt think only young people were gonna buy it, becuase its just that, great. and people shouldnt think its odd that becuase they happen to be young, and they are seeing someone "older" driving the same car. car manufacturers need a broad audience, toyota needs that 42 percent of "old" people to buy their stuff so they can keep the scion brand afloat

 

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/scion/tc/2007

 

Oh yea, naturally people outside of the expected age group are going to buy it. The way you made it sound before, was that they're original marketing plan for the xB was intended for an older age group. Miscommunication, that's all .

 

Fast and the Furious movies + rice boys led to the Scion brand.

 

2007MY/Quarter1 research shows the following about Scion as a whole:
Male: 39%
Median Age: 36
College Educated: 42%
% with Children<18 in Household: 32%
Median Incomes: $ 56700
%Married: 38%


Sample Size: 123


2007MY/Quarter1 research for the tC specifically shows:

Male: 36%
Median Age: 25
%College Educated: 42%
% with Children<18 in Household: 31%
Median Incomes: $ 49800
%Married: 24%

Sample size: 59

Just to compare, for Toyota as a whole, for 2007MY/Quarter1

Male: 50%
Median Age: 51

Sample Size: 2367

 

scion is for young people
toyota is for boring middle agers
lexus is for old people

 

they contributed to it for sure

"One segment of Gen Y is comprised of trend-leaders, or people who like variety and who are not afraid to try new things. More importantly to an automaker, these are the people who believe that their vehicle is more than a form of transportation – it’s an expression of their individuality.
This trend-leader population is just part of the Gen Y market and accounts for about 15 percent of the overall generation, or about 10 million consumers by 2010. Scion will target this sub-segment and focus on passenger cars, while Toyota will continue to target more mainstream youth.
The projected Scion buyer profile will reflect a median age in the very low 30s, about 40 percent male and single, approximately 30 percent college-educated, and just over a third with children under 18. Their household income should approach $50,000. Most importantly, their profile will also include psychographic elements such as intelligence, image-conscious, innovative and influential."
-2004 PR when scion was launched

 

yea, they sure did mess up with the xB though, no one in their right mind drives one of them and thinks they are pimpin.. but "old" people LOVE them!

 

Actually a lot of scion customers go straight to the IS 250 or 350 and with the new F-Sport accessory line for the 250 and 350 (including 19" wheels, front and rear brake upgrade, exhaust system, air intake, sway bars...and more) I'm sure it will appeal to a younger market ....like myself ;)

 

Ohh it will deffinetly APPEAL to the younger age group. But the truth of the matter is, the MAJORITY of the age group cant afford one.

Your talking about cars approaching and surpassing $40 grand nicely equiped.

 

I just went to the buick forums, and they have a post called "When you see a.. "younger" person driving a regal." See? They're biased too.

 

I always just think there driving there kids car for some reasion

 

it would have been aweosme is she was rockin a slam and some rims/exhaust

 

I like my tC and I really don't care who knows it!

....at MY AGE, it seems I couldn't afford the energy even if I did!

***Paul goes for his Geritol and his Depends.....***