Toyota Vitz is coming to America...
07-15-05, 10:04 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Toyota Vitz is coming to America...
High Fuel Prices Trigger
Invasion of the Minicars
Car Makers Pitch New Models
As Safer Than Predecessors;
A Base Price of $9,995
By NORIHIKO SHIROUZU
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
July 14, 2005; Page D1
Small is big again.
With gasoline prices at near-record levels, auto makers are preparing to introduce a range of small cars, most costing $14,000 or less. After years of pushing hulking SUVs, the industry is betting that fuel-efficient compacts are due for a comeback.
Traditionally, Americans' appetite for minicars has been slim amid concerns that they were too small and dangerous on highways packed with SUVs and powerful sedans. But there are signs of growing consumer interest, not only because of the high mileage, but also due to significantly improved safety technology.
Much of the impetus has been the Chevy Aveo, which was launched at the beginning of last year. It has been a surprise hit for General Motors Corp. and ranks as the best-selling economy car in the U.S. Through June, sales of the Korean-made car, which gets more than 30 miles per gallon and as a base price of $9,995, are up 66% from the year-earlier period, outpacing Scion xA, the Kia Rio and the Hyundai Accent.
...
Now the major Japanese auto makers, Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co., are looking to grab a piece of the action. As early as the spring, Toyota is likely to launch in the U.S. a version of a popular minicar currently sold in Japan as the Vitz, according to executives familiar with the plans. The snub-nosed Vitz, which was recently redesigned and has sort of an egg shape, is expected to replace the Echo, an aging model that has proven to be one of Toyota's biggest recent flops in the U.S., in part because it came out in 1999 when gasoline cost about a dollar a gallon but also because of its stodgy styling.
Invasion of the Minicars
Car Makers Pitch New Models
As Safer Than Predecessors;
A Base Price of $9,995
By NORIHIKO SHIROUZU
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
July 14, 2005; Page D1
Small is big again.
With gasoline prices at near-record levels, auto makers are preparing to introduce a range of small cars, most costing $14,000 or less. After years of pushing hulking SUVs, the industry is betting that fuel-efficient compacts are due for a comeback.
Traditionally, Americans' appetite for minicars has been slim amid concerns that they were too small and dangerous on highways packed with SUVs and powerful sedans. But there are signs of growing consumer interest, not only because of the high mileage, but also due to significantly improved safety technology.
Much of the impetus has been the Chevy Aveo, which was launched at the beginning of last year. It has been a surprise hit for General Motors Corp. and ranks as the best-selling economy car in the U.S. Through June, sales of the Korean-made car, which gets more than 30 miles per gallon and as a base price of $9,995, are up 66% from the year-earlier period, outpacing Scion xA, the Kia Rio and the Hyundai Accent.
...
Now the major Japanese auto makers, Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co., are looking to grab a piece of the action. As early as the spring, Toyota is likely to launch in the U.S. a version of a popular minicar currently sold in Japan as the Vitz, according to executives familiar with the plans. The snub-nosed Vitz, which was recently redesigned and has sort of an egg shape, is expected to replace the Echo, an aging model that has proven to be one of Toyota's biggest recent flops in the U.S., in part because it came out in 1999 when gasoline cost about a dollar a gallon but also because of its stodgy styling.
07-17-05, 02:15 PM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Here's some info and some spy shots.
http://www.japanesecarfans.com/spyph.../Toyota/1.html
http://www.japanesecarfans.com/news..../toyota/1.html
http://www.japanesecarfans.com/spyph.../Toyota/1.html
http://www.japanesecarfans.com/news..../toyota/1.html
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-17-05 at 02:20 PM.
07-18-05, 01:29 PM
#7
Lexus Connoisseur
Looks like the 710 South in Long Beach just passing the exit for Toyota Logistics Services (Toyota's huge port @ Long Beach).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LexFather
Car Chat
19
03-12-12 07:02 PM
GFerg
Car Chat
32
10-20-08 03:35 PM
Gojirra99
Car Chat
8
06-12-07 02:26 PM