Buzz Kill: No Scion Hybrids

[ZachBowman]

Toyota has officially rained on everyone?s parade by coming out and saying its youthful Scion brand won?t be receiving any hybrid models anytime soon. Rumors started kicking up that we could expect an electrified runabout from the Japanese automaker when Honda began making waves with its CR-Z, but Toyota says there?s one thing that?s stopping the company from taking the plunge on a battery-powered fuel saver: cost. In order to keep all of the brand?s products at below $20,000, Scion?s going to be skipping the hybrid craze.

We?re not entirely sold on that logic. While it?s true the Prius will hit your wallet for around $22,000, Toyota raised a few eyebrows with its FT-CH concept at the Detroit Auto Show. At its unveiling, Toyota said the car is intended to be a more affordable, more fun to drive dedicated hybrid. Sounds like a perfect Scion to us, but not to Scion VP Jack Hollis. While speaking with Ward?s Automotive, Hollis said his brand may consider hybrids in the future, but it will use a totally different platform.

That seems like a real shame to us. Getting young drivers in a hybrid could be the first step in creating a life-long dedication to more economical driving, but until the cost of hybrid technology takes a big dip, that?s not likely to happen.