Why you ask? They already have the Yaris taking care of the B-segment market, why on earth would they want to import something even smaller? One word: SMART.
According to Inside Line's sources, Toyota may bring the Aygo, already a popular city-car in Europe, over to the U.S. in two-door form to battle the SMART by DaimlerChrysler. Even though D.C.'s mini-mobile hasn't even hit our shores and proven itself in a viable segment, Toyota may be expecting a blockbuster and doesn't want to be left out in the cold when a possible contender is waiting in the wings.
If Toyota does decide to bring a 'micro' to the States, expect it in 2008, along with the possibility of competition from the usual suspects, Honda, Nissan and Subaru.
[Source: Edmunds' Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Kotse @ Sep 20th 2006 8:54AM
"If Toyota does decide to bring a 'micro' to the States, expect it in 2008, along with the possibility of competition from the usual suspects, Honda, Nissan and Subaru".
And don't forget the leading Japanese micro/Kei car maker..Suzuki.(C'mon Swift!!...)
ku @ Sep 20th 2006 9:13AM
"...along with the possibility of competition from the usual suspects, Honda, Nissan and Subaru"
when did subaru become a usual suspect? offering a broad range of products in the US is not exactly what they're known for
Michael F @ Sep 20th 2006 9:15AM
"Toyota may bring the Aygo, already a popular city-car in Europe,"
Yes, but I don't think the average American would fit in it.
Hamud @ Sep 20th 2006 9:27AM
Well, looks better than the Prius at least.
In this case, now there is no doubt that Ford would be allowed to bring the Ka, if they ever want to do so.
rwdmtparkingonly @ Sep 20th 2006 9:34AM
Americans need to learn the difference between fuel economy and size. These small cars are popular in Europe and Japan because there is much higher population density in those countries.
The flat vertical rear ends on these cars make the coefficient of drag horrible, hurting highway mileage. Also, city mileage is affected only by the weight of the car, not the size.
Some of the most important things for mileage are the engine and the transmission gearing. Small turbo engines and 6, 7 or even 8 (Lexus) speed transmissions are the real key to fuel efficiency in America.
I'm glad these cars will be available, and they are good for NY, Chicago and SF, but they aren't the solution that people think they will be.
Example: The Corolla and Yaris get the same fuel economy.
JB @ Sep 20th 2006 9:46AM
Here in Boston I could see these catching on. There has been an influx of small cars here in the last year or so, everything from restored vintage Fiat 500's and (Issigonis) Mini's to smart fortwos (presumably via Zap). I think if the Euro Aygo (www.aygo.com) came over Toyota would do well. Heck, someone else could tap into Peugeot or Citroen and strike up a deal to bring their version over, they are cheap. Zap's next big idea maybe???
Nick @ Sep 20th 2006 9:47AM
Good points No. 5! I think you make sense.
Just as a side note, awhile back GM said that they were going to be paying attention to how smart was received here in the States. If other competitors come and are met with some success, the word out of GM was that they'd import the next generation of the Chevy Matiz (whatever it will be called or look like). The Matiz was recently redesigned and has done well for Chevy in Europe thanks to it's price -- I wonder if GM could convince the UAW to allow them to imoprt the car if they did in fact need to fill that segment?
James @ Sep 20th 2006 9:52AM
"The flat vertical rear ends on these cars make the coefficient of drag horrible, hurting highway mileage."
Incorrect statement. Corolla = 0.30. Yaris = 0.29.
The Yaris is lighter by 300 lb, and does get 2 mpg better in the city.
However I don't know why the highway mpg is not higher. Maybe the transmission top gear.
James @ Sep 20th 2006 9:52AM
Fifth Gear did a 3-car comparo, and picked the Toyota Aygo as the best small car, good fun handling, and stylish.
I think it looks like a cat, complete with whiskers.
This car should be a hit in cities like New York and San Francisco.
ccweems @ Sep 20th 2006 9:58AM
Michael F: "the average American" (you?) can buy trucks and big SUV's. The rest of us can fit quite comfortably in an Aygo.
mark @ Sep 20th 2006 10:07AM
Hey i like compact cars, but when they begin to become the size of a coffin, i think i'll say no to that one.. I love the civic si, VW GTI, wrx.. that's a compact car.. this is a coffin.. lol
Stone @ Sep 20th 2006 10:12AM
With gas prices falling back down to $2 a gallon, the market for these cars will fall as well. People will be back to buying large SUV's sooner than you know it. And personally, I find these cars very impractical if you don't live in a urban area. Maybe they can sell these to fleets such as Flexcar/Zipcar to make money.
mr.ed @ Sep 20th 2006 10:13AM
The dealers hate these low profit "shitboxes", that take sales from their bigger inventory. Many are five door hatches, shown to be unpopular in the paranoid US, which prefers lockable trunks. Notice that Toyota won't import the terrific Yaris five door because of this. Many Americans might have European roots, but cheap gas has made them grown in a different direction.
rwdmtparkingonly @ Sep 20th 2006 10:18AM
#8, the new Camry has a .28. A wide range of factors affect cD, but a flat rear does not help.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_coefficient
Randy S @ Sep 20th 2006 10:21AM
This is true: if the smart becomes a hit, then others will follow. The Aygo has the right combination for urban transport, including the available Multi-Mode Manual which matches smart's own transmission. Price it right and market it where it needs to be and you have a winner.
And, I agree, we need more choices in the B segment here.
cars @ Sep 20th 2006 10:26AM
I hope Toyota will add Aygo in US.
It's a lovely car.
http://www.auto-power-girl.com/
Don dada @ Sep 20th 2006 10:29AM
I doubt Honda will jump on the bandwagon for this one.
Honda didn't respond to Scion nor Toyota Sequoia.
Honda isn't about world domination. Autoblog do your research.
Ryan @ Sep 20th 2006 11:35AM
"Example: The Corolla and Yaris get the same fuel economy"
Corolla
Yaris
Aygo
Why did we actually make Scion again?
Ferguson_McSqueege @ Sep 20th 2006 11:40AM
Hurray! Truly small cars. I'm tired of cars like the Civic and Corolla still being called "compact." Maybe it's compact to all these obese Americans, but for most of us, they're just too large.
I'd love a microcar for the college campus. I think there is a market for small cars that get good gas mileage. However, I'd love to see automakers offer more small diesels like they get over there in Europe. It's hard to argue with getting 70mpg out of a sub-sub compact!
djSyndrome @ Sep 20th 2006 11:48AM
"With gas prices falling back down to $2 a gallon, the market for these cars will fall as well."
You're kidding yourself if you think fuel prices will stay low beyond the November elections.