Is Toyota developing a Smart competitor in Michigan?
For at about the last six months there have been at least four Peugeot 107s running around in the vicinity of Livonia and Ann Arbor, MI with manufacturer plates. Since Peugeot doesn't sell their products in the United States, it was unclear why they were here. It turns out the 107, along with its stablemate the Citroen C1, are built as part of a joint venture between Puegeot/Citroen parent PSA and Toyota, which also yields the Toyota Aygo. Head over to AutoblogGreen to get the story on what may be going on with this car.
[Source: AutoblogGreen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Max 4:22PM (3/24/2007)
With the Scion xA replacement getting more power and moving slightly upscale, Scion is primed for an A-class offering. The youthful trendy image of Scion would be perfect for the Aygo.
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Dave 4:39PM (3/24/2007)
Maybe theyre planning a soccer match......
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Kowell 4:37PM (3/24/2007)
Couldn't this just be a replacement for the 2 door Yaris hatchback ?
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Fred 4:44PM (3/24/2007)
So they want to sell a car here that's even crappier than the Yaris?
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iQuack 4:44PM (3/24/2007)
Saw a number of AYGOs when in Greece 6 months ago. Cute as hell and ideal for the U.S. rising gas prices.
The 4 door model was especially practical and would do well here IMO.
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Bob 4:49PM (3/24/2007)
Junk!
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bernie 4:53PM (3/24/2007)
Yeah, the Yaris is WAAY too big and comfy! LOL
Toyota needs to create a model to compete with the Fit and Versa, not go the other direction - at least not in the US. The Yaris finishes fourth behind Honda, Nissan and Kia in its class. I might een give the Aveo an advantage over the Yaris.
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Barney 4:52PM (3/24/2007)
re:4. So they want to sell a car here that's even crappier than the Yaris?""
Okay Fred, let's hear your words of wisdom!
The Yaris sells well and even better then the Echo. Neither are a beauty but all in the eyes of the beholder. No competition to the Smart car but will hold it's own.
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far jr 4:54PM (3/24/2007)
Thoughts of an 18 wheeler driver as he changes lanes on the freeway and encounters his first AYGO in his blind spot...Kathump...
"These Michigan potholes are terrible!"
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Sam Abuelsamid 5:00PM (3/24/2007)
The 107/C1/Aygo is quite a bit smaller than the Yaris. The Yaris is about 16" longer than the Aygo 3.8m long vs 3.4m. This thing is definitely targeted more at the Smart than anything else currently available. BTW the Smart ForTwo is about 2.7m long or a little more than two feet less than the Aygo. The 107/Aygo is about as small as you can go and still have a back seat.
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Noidor 5:04PM (3/24/2007)
You can't call this car crap. Why? Because it's small? Read the reviews, do the research, look at the market needs. It's a good city car. Miami Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, even New York could see a demand for this sort of a car. Besides it's fun to drive!
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DPC car videos 5:29PM (3/24/2007)
This looks much bigger then a smart car.
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owen 5:30PM (3/24/2007)
come on, you guys cannot be surprise that haters will jump on anything about toyota,just say toyota and here they come,rednecks have nothing else better to do ,dont you just like the way how they stick togather?they all have the same things in common/sleep with family members/and hate every one else ,i guess thats one way of keeping the white race pure,by the way how is that working out for you?just take a look at gas prices and any thing is better than all these gas hogs on the road
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Biff 5:33PM (3/24/2007)
Stunning. I'm sure that Chablis glasses are clinking in San Francisco and NY at the prospect of these covered skateboards on their streets.
Here's a bet - These things are marketed to chicks with hairy arm pits.
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owen 5:45PM (3/24/2007)
hey biff,then your mom will be first in line,no?
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J 6:10PM (3/24/2007)
If you call these things junk, you clearly are misinformed. The one and only Tiff Needell thought the Aygo was great fun to drive. Also, the Aygo was one of top gear's two Cars of the Year for 2005 (the other was the Veyron). if you don't believe me, look here:
http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2006/01/stories/13/1.html
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Stan 6:14PM (3/24/2007)
Maybe there's something I don't understand, but isn't the presence of a late model Peugeot somewhat more conspicuous than an unseen Toyota?
If they import a CVT+diesel in Citroën trim as a Lexus ... I'll put my money down right now.
And who are these usual suspects who jump all over novel "import" cars with the arguments the Big 2.5 use to drive themselves out of business? Real people don't actually think like this, do they? Whose payroll are they on?
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J 6:22PM (3/24/2007)
They might give usthe Peugeot version of the european Aygo but badge it as a Toyota because the styling of the Peugeot is more reserved and less quirky.
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ccweems 6:20PM (3/24/2007)
Slight correction Owen, both of Biff's "mommies" will be driving the new Aygo.
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Castle 6:29PM (3/24/2007)
Not a SmartCar competitor its a VW Lupo competitor; unlike the SmartCar it can actually seat more than two people.
Its actually a very decent car.
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