[Alvos]

The tC IS the new Celica around here. If you check the chassis codes, they're the same (or very similar in the newer models). They took the Celica and stripped it down, then re-badged it under the Scion name to appeal to a bigger demographic since the price is now much more economically competitive compared to the Celica. They're appealing to the same people as before, but now they can include the low-end market, too.

The real genius of the tC came from Scion's marketing team, when they decided to make their cars available for purchase/customization through the internet. That nearly eliminated the cost of overhead (on Toyota's part) because they didn't have to subsidize the upkeep of the cars sitting on a lot forever. A customer could get the car they wanted right off the bat, and Toyota didn't have to meet them halfway. This also largely eliminated the need for the car lot salesman (thank GOD). Both of those things combined are also large contributors to the low cost of Scion vehicles.