Benefits of Buying Custom Accessories at the Dealership

Tired of buying a car with five different trim levels, three different upgrade packages and lots of confusing options? Car makers such as Scion, Nissan and Kia are bringing new ways to ditch the aftermarket accessories game and customize your ride before it even leaves the dealership.

Led by pioneering Scion, this at-the-dealership customization idea actually starts with simplification. Toyota’s Scion brand started the craze a few years back by offering just two options (exterior color and transmission type) to its boxy urban vehicles.

My question is: Why is customization just relegated to young people? When are car companies going to recognize car buyers just want tons of standard features, along with just car color and wheel options?

In fact, buying accessories directly from the car maker has its many benefits:

• Buying accessories from the car maker directly as in Toyota’s TRD products means each product is designed and tested right alongside the vehicle giving factory accessories better engineering.
• Factory-made accessories are usually covered under your car’s existing warranty.
• Dealerships have trained and certified professionals who install each accessory. Plus, labor costs are usually covered in the accessory’s price.)

In the Scion model, buyers can add interior, exterior and even performance accessories researched, built and guaranteed by Toyota. In fact, some of the performance accessories are developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD).

I recently tested out a 2010 Scion xD. This silver beauty was tricked out with TRD alloy wheels, shocks and exhaust. The vehicle had been lowered and a rather matching aerodynamic silver spoiler had been added to the rear hatchback.

Somehow, it all worked well. My road test 2010 Scion xD certainly did look quite cool with its low stance, rear spoiler and killer wheels. However, I was concerned as the Scion xD looks rather small from the outside.

Inside, however, is actually quite comfortable although the seats are too narrow for my thick thighs. And the drive? I just LOVED the TRD exhaust and its truck-like growl. The TRD shocks gave the 2010 Scion xD a more smooth, yet more controlled ride. Overall, my customized 2010 Scion xD was a complete pleasure to drive even though I’m a middle aged mother who, according to research data, shouldn’t like such hip and modern vehicles.

Not to be outdone by Scion, the funky-looking Nissan Cube and toy-like Kia Soul have mimicked Scion by offering only one trim level and a bevy of accessory options. For example, Nissan Cube buyers can choose from lots of traditional and bright colors for interior plastics around door handles and ventilation units. Nissan and Kia also offer performance accessories for their crazy Cube and silly Soul.

I have road tested both the Nissan Cube and Kia Soul. Certainly these two kooky vehicles have been developed with Scion in mind and combine the best of its brand performance, super fun design and high tech features.

Korey Tsuno, who is an accessory operations manager for Scion, says the brand’s younger demographic wants customization and so it was a “natural fit” to accessorize their new rides with TRD parts and other exterior and interior modifications.

“We are very familiar with our cars and products,” says Tsuno. For example, the 2010 Scion xD I road tested had more than 50 accessories available and to be installed at the dealership before you drive it off the lot.

Tsuno says each Scion’s “apparel and accessories dress the car,” giving it a “signature style” from air fresheners to five axis kits.

Of course, Scion uses the web to capture its young buyers from the start. On the www.Scion.com website, new car buyers can configure and order their new Scion online for delivery at the nearest dealer. To “pick through” accessories, new or potential Scion buyers, can check out www.BuildYourScion.com.

With all its talk of customization, Scion has been highly successful with its “release series.” These limited edition models (around 2,500 release series vehicles are built each year) have completely unique exterior colors and four accessories created just for each release series.

For 2010, the Scion xB release series comes in a shocking “absolute red” color, matching seat fabric, four different interior lighting schemes, a Pioneer navigation unit and Bluetooth connectivity.

Interestingly, release series collectors are encouraged to add further customization such as adding 19-inch TRD wheels and shocks.

I love the idea of just choosing colors and transmission and then adding whatever accessories my imagination (and wallet) can handle. Bring on customization at the dealership!

Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif. Follow me! @sheryllalexande