Toyota Aims to Trim Scion Dealership Count

Toyota Motor Corp. thinks too many of its dealership carry the company's youth-oriented Scion brand, so it's allowing them to drop that franchise without penalty, Automotive News reports.

When Toyota launched Scion in 2003, it expected about half its dealers to sign up for the franchise. But today more than 80% of the company's 1,225 dealers offer the budget-priced cars, despite an aging vehicle lineup and what Toyota told a dealer meeting last month is "not enough throughput" per store.

Toyota used the meeting to describe its plan to pare back. But AN says the company did not specify the number of Scion outlets it hopes to cut.

Dealers who decide to retain their Scion franchise can expect at least one new model: the upcoming FR-S convertible. Toyota also revealed drawings of a subcompact crossover concept with what one dealer describes as a "racy silhouette," AN adds.