Autoblog

Kids in the U.S. want computers in their cars, but kids in Japan want computers instead of cars. Add that craziness to Japan's dwindling population and popular mass-transit options and you'll understand why the Japanese car market dropped to just 5.3 million vehicles, a 27-year low. Toyota, Japan's sales leader in America, is not immune to the sales downturn, accounting for 2.26 million of those new car sales. In order to catch the attention of younger potential car-buyers, Toyota has taken drastic measures: opening its own mall, complete with 220 stores, restaurants and... car dealerships? Not only are there a number of dealerships integrated into the mall, but there are Toyota's littered throughout the walkways.

In addition to showcasing its latest new vehicles, Toyota is also showing off its high-tech robots, some of which, oddly enough, play musical instruments.

[Source: AP via Motor Authority]

We’ve all seen cars displayed in malls. Well, Baron BMW of Merriam has taken what it considered as the “next logical step," opening up a BMW showroom in the Oak Park Mall in the city of Overland Park, Kansas (pictured is the Merriam dealership).

Like a conventional dealership, the mall showroom will have computer kiosks and a coffee bar. Other plans include introduction of new vehicles and fashion shows. Finally, a test drive area outside the mall has been prepared for those itching to see how their would-be Bimmers handle the parking lot gymkhana.

Anyone for new socks, some Chik-fil-A and a Z4?

[Source: Kansas City Business Journal]