Scion to Drop xA, xB; New Models Due

As Toyota Motor Corp.'s groundbreaking Scion youth brand edges closer to its fourth birthday, the auto maker is readying new models to keep the marque fresh.

In doing so, Toyota will drop the xA hatchback and boxy xB next spring in favor of two new '08 vehicles. The brand launched sales with the two vehicles in California in June 2003 and will end their production in December.

“The xA and xB will always be very special models for us and have contributed greatly to Scion's success, but we're ready to move into our next product phase,” says Mark Templin, vice president-Scion.

One of the '08 models will be dubbed the xD, a Toyota executive confirms for Ward's. Toyota trademarked the name in March, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website. It also has trademarks for tD and tE.

Don Esmond, senior vice president-automotive operations, declines to divulge the xD's vehicle type, but tells Ward's, “it won't be an SUV,” in keeping with previous Scion declarations that Gen Y buyers, unlike their parents, don't find SUVs desirable.

Ward's data shows a front- and all-wheel-drive “sport wagon” joining Scion's U.S. lineup next year as an '08 model. It will share the next-generation tC's new platform, dubbed Toyota NCV, which also will underpin the new Toyota Corolla.

However, it is unclear whether the sport wagon is the xD or the other unnamed new model.