Scion Will Sell Toyota FT-86 in 2012

Just the Facts:

 * Toyota plans to sell the FT-86 as a Scion.
 * U.S. sellers have been told the entry-level sports automobile might be priced from around $25,000.
 * It may well be marketed in 2012 beneath the identify Scion FR-S.

TORRANCE, California — Scion dealers have been informed this week that they will promote the Toyota FT-86 in the U.S., according to media reports quoting dealer sources. The production version of the vehicle reportedly will be unveiled next April at the 2011 New York Automobile Display and will probably be priced inside U.S. from around $25,000. It might be marketed in 2012 below the title Scion FR-S.

The FT-86, jointly developed with Subaru, was introduced in idea form a year ago in the Tokyo automobile display. Widely identified, somewhat pejoratively, as the "Toyobaru," the FT-86 will share its simple architecture with a Subaru companion, acknowledged internally as 216a, according to the Web website Toyobaru.net.

Toyobaru.net's report said the Subaru model may perhaps be sold only in Europe, although the Scion-badged FR-S is likely to be a U.S.-only model.