High energy costs and growth in emerging markets have automakers scrambling to downsize their product plans, and ultra-small transportation like the VW up! is bound to bring low-cost city cars to the masses. Mazda intends to be a serious player in this burgeoning segment and will unveil the Mazda1 concept in Paris this fall, expected to look like the sketch above and influenced by the Chris Shunk
If the thought of riding around town on a scooter scares you, or if you just could not imagine not having a roof over your head, perhaps you could use a microcar like one of these. Cars like these used to be rather common sights on the roads in Europe. In fact, we showed you a gallery some time ago which highlighted some of the very small cars that can be seen in Italy.
Automotive News has a quick blurb about a new model set to debut from the folks at Toyota during this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. According to AN, Toyota's 3000mm-long microcar will be known as the Endo and will slot in below the Aygo, the smallest vehicle in the automaker's European lineup.
DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche thinks that's the big question as the company readies the Smart ForTwo city car for sale in the U.S.
Is Mitsubishi Motors being a tease? American subcompact and microcar fans may soon go postal when they discover that the automaker has quietly brought over two of its i-Cars to the U.S. where they are running about in currently wet Los Angeles, California.
