Scion's Next Product Set for NY Show

Toyota Motor Corp.'s youth-oriented Scion brand plans to make a fresh set of waves at the New York International Auto Show in March, debuting the next big thing for the auto maker's hot little brand.

Scion Vice President Jim Farley tells Ward's of plans to reveal a product in New York indicating the direction for the next Scion vehicle. He declines to say whether it will be a concept car, sketch or otherwise.

Farley does not provide a timetable for the next Scion. Nor will he say whether it replaces an existing model — such as the under-performing xA compact car — or is a fourth model for the brand.

If product planners stick to prior plans given to Ward's in June, a fourth Scion is not due until 2007, at the earliest.

Toyota officials repeatedly have downplayed the likelihood of a traditional truck or SUV for the brand, and Farley indicates he eventually would like to see a rally-inspired car to fight the all-wheel-drive Subaru Impreza WRX sedan, which is popular among performance-minded tuners. Scion will offer a supercharger for the tC coupe as a dealer installed option later in 2005 as another way of attracting the import-“tuner” crowd.